Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has claimed that he is "pleased" for referee Mark Clattenburg after the referee was cleared of charges by the Football Association.

The 37-year-old was accused by Chelsea of calling midfielder John Obi Mikel a "monkey" during the Blues' 3-2 defeat to United last month but following an investigation by the English governing body, the case was dropped.

"I did not believe it anyway," said Ferguson. "The unfortunate thing for Mark is that he has had to carry that stain for the last few weeks. Everyone in the game is pleased for him now, apart from Chelsea."

Meanwhile, Chelsea have not offered an apology to Clattenburg following the conclusion of the race row.