London's Metropolitan Police said on Tuesday they were investigating alleged racist comments made by the referee during last weekend's Premier League match between Chelsea and Manchester United.

Scotland Yard said it was looking into the allegations against Mark Clattenburg, who refereed Sunday's clash at Stamford Bridge in west London. Visitor United won 3-2, with Chelsea having two players sent off.

"An investigation has been launched into alleged comments made during a football match between Chelsea FC and Manchester United FC at Stamford Bridge," a police statement read.

Officers from the local borough were in touch with Chelsea and the Football Association, the sport's governing body in England, it said, adding neither party had made a complaint.

Scotland Yard said it was working with the Blues and the FA "in order to consider any allegation that is made in relation to the reported events".

Clattenburg is alleged to have used "inappropriate language", reportedly of a racist nature, toward Chelsea's Nigeria and Spain midfielders John Mikel Obi and Juan Mata at the club's Stamford Bridge ground on Sunday.

The 37-year-old official, who has vowed to cooperate fully with any probe and reportedly denies the allegations, has been stood down from matches for a week, pending an FA investigation.

AFP

(China Daily 11/01/2012 page22)