A round-up of the sporting headlines from national football, including news from Chelsea, Blackburn Rovers, Manchester United, Manchester City, Tottenham Hotspur and Southampton.
DAILY STAR: The FA are investigating ref Mark Clattenburg after two Chelsea stars claimed they heard him racially abuse Jon Obi Mikel. Also: Southampton goalkeeper Artur Boruc has escaped punishment for allegedly throwing a water bottle at fans during Sunday’s defeat by Tottenham.
THE SUN: Outraged Chelsea stars have given sworn statements claiming John Obi Mikel was racially abused by ref Mark Clattenburg. Also: Juan Mata did not hear referee Mark Clattenburg’s alleged racist comments during Chelsea’s controversial defeat by Manchester United.
DAILY TELEGRAPH: Blackburn Rovers are planning to interview Harry Redknapp for the Ewood Park managerial vacancy today after the former Tottenham manager expressed an interest in the position at the Championship club. Also: Micah Richards faces a battle to play again this year after undergoing knee surgery yesterday that is likely to sideline the Manchester City defender until Christmas at the earliest.
THE TIMES: The Football Association launched a formal investigation last night into an allegation of racist abuse made by John Obi Mikel, of Chelsea, against Mark Clattenburg. Also: Ben Youngs is expected to be allowed by England to play for Leicester this weekend to prove his fitness ahead of the autumn internationals.
DAILY MIRROR: Mark Clattenburg was confronted in the referee’s room on Sunday by angry Chelsea officials and Joh Obi Mikel. Also: Blackburn supremo Shebby Singh wants to offer Diego Maradona an astonishing chance to become the club’s new manager.
DAILY MAIL: Mark Clattenburg is fighting to save his career after the Football Association and police began formal investigations into allegations that he racially abused Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel. Also: Harry Redknapp will hold talks with Blackburn Rovers today over their vacant manager’s job.
THE INDEPENDENT: Chelsea made it clear to the Football Association yesterday they believed they had no option but to file a complaint about the referee Mark Clattenburg and that they did so fully cognisant of the serious nature of the racial element to their case. Also: The drug testers came calling Andy Murray here on Saturday night before the start of this week’s Paris Masters - and the 25-year-old Scot was very happy to see them.
DAILY EXPRESS: Mark Clattenburg was last night fighting to save his career as Chelsea players prepared to back John Obi Mikel’s extraordinary allegation that the official racially abused him. Also: Micah Richards is out of Manchester City’s title defence until the new year.
THE GUARDIAN: The Football Association has begun an investigation into John Obi Mikel’s allegation that he was racially insulted by the referee Mark Clattenburg in Chelsea’s 3-2 defeat by Manchester United at Stamford Bridge on Sunday and the Metropolitan may also open an inquiry after receiving an official complaint. Also: Bryan Redpath’s short spell as director of rugby at Sale ended last night when he was placed on gardening leave, with the former New Zealand World Cup coach John Mitchell about to take command.
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