The Sports Matrix: Tuesday 30 October 2012

Chelsea stand by Clattenburg claim as FA investigates

Chelsea made it clear to the Football Association yesterday they believed they had no option but to file Sunday's complaint about the referee Mark Clattenburg and that they did so fully cognisant of the serious nature of the racial element to their case.

The decision to report Clattenburg, below, for two incidents of "inappropriate language" – one of which was made to John Obi Mikel – was taken at the highest executive level by the club, with the knowledge of chairman Bruce Buck and chief executive Ron Gourlay in the aftermath of Sunday's defeat to Manchester United.

In private, the club are aware that their complaint has been dismissed in some quarters as retaliation for the FA charges laid against John Terry earlier this year. The club took statements from the players involved, including Mikel and Juan Mata, the two to whom Clattenburg is alleged to have made the remarks. Professional Game Match Officials announced yesterday that Clattenburg had been taken off the list for this weekend's fixtures. MORE

Murray demands better drug testing

Britain's world No 3 Andy Murray believes that tennis needs to do more out-of-competition drug testing and would like to see sanctions against players who fail tests applied more stringently. Most tests are carried out during tournaments and most are urine tests. MORE

Djokovic to finish the year as No 1

Novak Djokovic is guaranteed to end the year as the world No 1 after Roger Federer opted not to defend his Paris Masters title. Djokovic will therefore become the first player to finish consecutive years at top spot since Federer from 2004-2007. MORE

Prop Mullan latest red-rose call-up

Having called in two forwards, the London Irish hooker David Paice and the Harlequins lock George Robson, because of injuries, England added to their reinforcements yesterday by sending for Matt Mullan, the Worcester prop. MORE

Freedman to play Bolton long game

Dougie Freedman claims Bolton's long-term potential persuaded him to end a long and successful association with Crystal Palace. Freedman succeeded Owen Coyle at the Reebok Stadium last week.

Arshavin to start for Gunners in cup

Arsène Wenger insisted that he will play an "experienced" team at Reading in the Capital One Cup tonight, including Russian forward Andrei Arshavin. "Andrei is a classy player," the Arsenal manager said. "He is a top professional with a great attitude." MORE

Opinion: James Lawton

Like so many of his trade, Fernando Torres dives almost as a matter of course and if you live by such artifice there is a very good chance you will from time to time also die by it. MORE

Rooney features on Ballon D'Or list

The Manchester United forward Wayne Rooney is for the second year running the only Englishman to be included on the 23-man shortlist for the Ballon D'Or. Manchester City have three players on the list in Sergio Aguero, Mario Balotelli and Yaya Touré. MORE

Gerrard compares Everton to Stoke

After Sunday's Merseyside derby, Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard spoke of Everton's direct approach. "There was only one team who came into the derby trying to play football," Gerrard said. "I thought we stood up to a team that are very similar to Stoke." MORE