Mark Clatternburg alleged to have referred to John Obi Mikel as a 'monkey'

Premier League referee Mark Clattenburg has reportedly been accused of calling Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel a 'monkey'.

The 37-year-old is under investigation by police for allegedly racially abusing Mikel during Chelsea's 3-2 defeat to Manchester United.

It is believed that two Blues players, who have been named as David Luiz and Ramires in some reports, heard Clattenburg say "shut up you monkey" after he booked Mikel for dissent, according to the Daily Mail.

The match official, who is also at the centre of a probe by the Football Association, reportedly called Juan Mata a "Spanish twat" during the league clash at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.