Chelsea have refused to offer an apology to referee Mark Clattenburg, despite the match official being cleared of the club's allegations that he had racially abused midfielder Jon Obi Mikel.

The Football Association revealed last night that the 37-year-old will not be charged over complaints that he used "inappropriate language" after booking Mikel in Chelsea's 3-2 defeat to Manchester United last month.

A statement on Chelsea's website said: "The FA states Chelsea took the correct action following the Manchester United match and encourages all players who believe they have been either subject, or witness to discriminatory abuse, to report the matter immediately to the match officials on the day, and in turn to the FA.

"With regards to the Mark Clattenburg decision, the club accepts the case is now concluded and notes the FA states the allegation was made in good faith."

Clattenburg, who was accused of calling Mikel a "monkey", claimed that he was 'frightened' that his career was over following the allegations.