The Football Association has cleared referee Mark Clattenburg of using
"inappropriate language" towards Chelsea midfielder John Mikel Obi.
But Mikel, 25, has been charged by the FA with misconduct following his involvement in the incident.
The Blues had claimed Clattenburg directed racial language at Mikel in their home defeat by Manchester United.
Clattenburg said it was "truly frightening" to have faced the prospect that his career might be over.
Following
the match at Stamford Bridge on 28 October, the FA interviewed
Clattenburg, Mikel and several other Blues players before reaching its
decision to clear the official and charge the Nigerian.
"It
is alleged that in or around the match officials' changing room at the
end of the fixture, Mikel used threatening and/or abusive and/or
insulting words and/or behaviour," an FA statement read.
Mikel has
until Friday, 30 November to respond. Chelsea have indicated he will not
deny the charge but will request a hearing to "explain the mitigating
circumstances".
The evidence for Chelsea's
allegation towards Clattenburg came from their midfielder Ramires who,
when interviewed, explained that his instinctive reaction was to seek
confirmation from Mikel as to what the referee said.
Mikel, who was
being spoken to by Clattenburg, was much closer than Ramires and did not
hear what it is suggested was said to him.
An FA statement also said the complaint by Mikel's team-mate Ramires was "made in good faith".
Clattenburg, 37, has always maintained his innocence and the Metropolitan Police dropped its own inquiry earlier this month.
He missed four weekends of Premier League matches while the FA investigated Chelsea's complaint.
"I
am looking forward to putting this behind me and concentrating on
refereeing in the Premier League and other competitions," said
Clattenburg.
"The messages of encouragement from those inside and
outside of the game have helped me through the most stressful time of my
professional life.
"To know you were innocent but there was the opportunity for it to wreck your career was truly frightening.
"Racism
has no place in football and this experience should not discourage
those to speak out if they genuinely believe they are a victim of abuse.
"However,
there are processes that should be adhered to in order that any
investigation can be carried out in a manner that is fair for all
parties involved.
"Chelsea FC has a duty of care, as do all employers, to act responsibly when such allegations are reported by employees.
"We
did not take the decision to lodge a formal complaint with the FA
lightly and followed the correct processes and protocols throughout."
Referees' union Prospect, on behalf of Clattenburg, are asking Chelsea for a full apology and compensation.
Police
dropped an investigation into the alleged comments towards Chelsea's
Mikel and Juan Mata in the Premier League match at Stamford Bridge last
month.
Chelsea initially suggested Spanish midfielder Mata had also
been verbally abused by Clattenburg, before deciding there was
insufficient evidence to support these claims.
SHOULD WE SAY, CHELSEA FC SOLD OUT MIKEL FOR CRITICISM BY NOT PROVIDING EVIDENCE? HAVE YOUR SAY.

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