Mark Clattenburg is reportedly being investigated by Mike Riley, head of the Professional Game Match Officials Ltd, after Southampton complained about the referee's use of "abusive and insulting" language against their captain Adam Lallana.
According to the Daily Mail, Clattenburg is understood to have insulted Lallana after the player complained over his decision not to award Southampton a penalty during their recent 2-1 loss at Everton. The south-coast club, report the Mail, have asked the Premier League not to appoint Clattenburg for any of their matches until PGMOL's investigation has been completed.
Speaking after Southampton loss at Goodison Park on 29 December, their manager, Mauricio Pochettino, said: "I don't mean any disrespect against any referees, but anyone watching the game can see there were two clear penalties that weren't given or should have been given. That would have changed the game completely but we weren't given them and, of course, we are angry and upset about this. I am saying that should not be forgotten in the overall analysis of the game and they need to be said. We don't want to be judged by our young, handsome, good-looking players. We just want what's fair."
The allegations come a little over a year after Clattenburg, who will take charge of Arsenal's FA Cup tie against Tottenham on Saturday, was cleared by the Football Association of using "inappropriate language" against Chelsea's Mikel John Obi.
According to the Daily Mail, Clattenburg is understood to have insulted Lallana after the player complained over his decision not to award Southampton a penalty during their recent 2-1 loss at Everton. The south-coast club, report the Mail, have asked the Premier League not to appoint Clattenburg for any of their matches until PGMOL's investigation has been completed.
Speaking after Southampton loss at Goodison Park on 29 December, their manager, Mauricio Pochettino, said: "I don't mean any disrespect against any referees, but anyone watching the game can see there were two clear penalties that weren't given or should have been given. That would have changed the game completely but we weren't given them and, of course, we are angry and upset about this. I am saying that should not be forgotten in the overall analysis of the game and they need to be said. We don't want to be judged by our young, handsome, good-looking players. We just want what's fair."
The allegations come a little over a year after Clattenburg, who will take charge of Arsenal's FA Cup tie against Tottenham on Saturday, was cleared by the Football Association of using "inappropriate language" against Chelsea's Mikel John Obi.
