The Football Association have decided against taking any action against referee Mark Clattenburg following an investigation into a complaint put forward by Chelsea.

The 37-year-old was accused of using "inappropriate language" towards Blues midfielder John Obi Mikel during Chelsea's 3-2 defeat to Manchester United last month.

After a lengthy investigation, it has been confirmed that Clattenburg does not have a case to answer following reports that Chelsea player Ramires had heard the match official refer to Mikel as a "monkey".

A statement from the FA said: "The details of the allegation were that following one or the other of the red cards issued during the second half of the game, Ramires heard Mark Clattenburg say to John Obi Mikel, "shut up you monkey". John Obi Mikel did not hear the alleged comment."

The English governing body went on to say: "The evidence for the allegation came from one witness, Ramires. Ramires, whose first language is not English, explained that his instinctive reaction was to seek confirmation from John Obi Mikel as to what the referee had said.

"John Obi Mikel, who was being spoken to by the referee, was much closer to the referee than Ramires and did not hear what it is suggested was said to him. Three other witnesses, i.e. the other match officials, to whom everything said by referee was relayed via their communication equipment, are adamant the alleged words were not uttered.

"There is nothing in the video footage to support the allegation. For completeness, but of lesser weight, two other players, whose first language is English and were in the vicinity, did not hear anything untoward."

Meanwhile, the FA have charged Mikel with misconduct following the Premier League match at Stamford Bridge.