By Simon Cass

PUBLISHED: 06:30 EST, 28 November 2012 | UPDATED: 06:34 EST, 28 November 2012

Chelsea continue to maintain they will not issue an apology to referee Mark Clattenburg despite admitting to their 'regret' over the handling of the affair.

The lack of apology is based on Chelsea's opinion that in doing so they would undermine Ramires when it is widely accepted that the midfielder was sincere in his belief that Clattenburg had called John Obi Mikel a monkey during the explosive encounter at with Manchester United at Stamford Bridge.

Dragged through the mud: Chelsea say they regret the way they acted over the Mark Clattenburg debacle

Dragged through the mud: Chelsea say they regret the way they acted over the Mark Clattenburg debacle


In a joint statement from Chelsea, the Premier League and the Professional Game Match Officials Limited, the European champions conceded that their actions caused Clattenburg and his family huge distress.

They also admitted it had been a mistake to rush out a press release on the night of their defeat by Manchester United when the accusation that Clattenburg had called John Mikel Obi a 'monkey' was so serious.

But Chelsea consider the joint statement, drafted after the personal intervention of their chairman Bruce Buck, to be full and final and do not intend to issue any further comment.

Referees' union Prospect have dropped their demand for Chelsea to pay compensation to Clattenburg after reaching agreement over the statement but still feel an apology should still be forthcoming.

On the way back: Terry is poised for a first-team return after injury

On the way back: Terry is poised for a first-team return after injury

Clattenburg has not refereed a game since the furore exploded last month but is due to return to action tonight when Southampton entertain Norwich in the Barclays Premier League.

Meanwhile, Chelsea, who take on Fulham at Stamford Bridge, do not expect to have skipper John Terry back in time for Saturday's lunchtime kick-off away to West Ham.

Terry is back in training after making remarkable progress from the knee injury sustained in the draw with Liverpool two weeks ago.

Fears he could be out for the season have proved to be unfounded but Terry is rated as highly doubtful for this weekend's trip to Upton Park and is also unlikely to play in Chelsea's must-win Champions League Group E clash at home to Nordsjaelland next Wednesday.

The comments below have been moderated in advance.

Sue em all individually Mark!

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Were we expecting otherwise from this arrogant bunch who are muddying the name of a great club ?

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Who cares, this referee is incapable of refereeing games without mistakes anyway, I wouldn't call him a premier league referee

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Of course they won't apologise. This is Chelsea Football Club, after all. They are above such mortal things Chelsea can do no wrong, not now, not ever. They are deities and demand that anyone associated with then is to be revered. In time, they will demand that Clattenberg apologises to THEM for not worshipping properly and humbly at the altar of Chelsea FC Remember: Chelsea are without sin.

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I agree with them - they handled wrong but that doesn't mean they extent sincere in their complaint. Like a lot if things people get off if there is no proof - maybe of Refs mikes are recorded we won't have the issue and if something was said why would an assistant say otherwise ? I'm not saying MC said it but we will never know for 100% sure.

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What a feeble excuse. They can still isue an apology with a line stating that Ramirez felt that he was doing the right thing as he understood.

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Typical of Chelsea. They're proved to be in the wrong, but still, will not do the honourable thing, and apologise for their error. Disgusting.

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let it go....clown:

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