Mikel Obi tried to punch me in 2012 – Ex-EPL referee recalls

Former Premier League referee Mark Clattenburg has claimed that ex-Chelsea midfielder John Mikel Obi tried to punch him after a controversial 2012 match between Chelsea and Manchester United at Stamford Bridge.

Speaking on the Undr The Cosh podcast, Clattenburg recalled that Mikel stormed into the referee’s dressing room after the final whistle and tried to attack him.

“There was a bit of commotion outside the dressing room door,” he said.

“As I opened the door, John Obi Mikel came bursting through and started swinging punches. I ducked. He tried to pin me against the wall and went, ‘F****** h***!’”

The match was marred by controversy after Chelsea accused Clattenburg of racially abusing Mikel by allegedly calling him a “monkey.”

The FA later cleared the referee of the allegation due to lack of evidence.

Mikel, however, was fined £60,000 and given a three-match ban for threatening behaviour towards the official after the match.

The incident was one of the most high-profile controversies involving a Premier League referee in recent memory.

Clattenburg, who refereed in the Premier League for over a decade, maintains he did nothing wrong and says the attack left a lasting impact on him.