Accused Mark Clattenburg will not officiate this weekend

Referee Mark Clattenburg, accused of using “inappropriate language” toward Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel, will not officiate a game this coming weekend.

The Premier League announced the officials for the upcoming round of Premier League fixtures this afternoon, and Clattenburg was not among them.

The decision to drop Clattenburg was taken after consultation with the referee said Mike Riley, general manager of Professional Game Match Officials Limited.

"PGMOL was fully prepared to appoint Mark to matches this weekend. However, having discussed this with him, we both consider that it is in Mark's best interests that he has this week away from officiating duties while he prepares to help The FA and police with their enquiries," said Riley.

Chelsea play Liverpool at Stamford Bridge on Sunday, and while it was inconceivable he would have been handed that particular game, it was thought he might return in one of the other nine Premier League fixtures taking place across the weekend.

Clattenburg was stood down from the last round of fixtures after he was accused of targeting language at Mikel that could be constituted as racist. Clattenburg is said to be astounded by the claims and is eager to return to officiating as soon as possible.

The allegations, relating to Clattenburg's officiating during Chelsea's defeat in the Premier League to Manchester United, are currently being investigated by the FA and Metropolitan police.