A PREMIER League referee originally from Blacon was caught up in a racism storm on Sunday.
Mike Jones, 44, who now lives in Great Sutton, was the fourth official at the ill-tempered game at Stamford Bridge between Chelsea and Manchester United, which the visitors won 3-2.
Referee Mark Clattenburg stands accused by two Chelsea players, John Obi Mikel and Juan Mata, of using inappropriate language toward them. In the case of Mikel, it is alleged the language contained a racist element.
The FA are likely to ask Mike Jones for a witness statement.
Clattenburg would have been in regular contact with Jones and the referee’s assistants, Mike McDonough and Simon Long, during the game through a microphone.
Their conversations are not recorded so it will be up to the trio to confirm whether Chelsea’s version of events is accurate.
The Chelsea players and management confronted Clattenburg after the game so Jones could be called upon to give evidence of conversations.
In 2008, Mike Jones – who cut his teeth in the Chester & District, Junior and Sunday leagues – became a select group referee, allowing him to officiate games in the Premier League and in may he was the fourth official for referee Phil Dowd at the FA Cup Final.
