Chelsea and the FA have been criticised by a campaigning group after police announced no action will be taken against referee Mark Clattenburg.
Chelsea made a complaint to the FA alleging the referee had used inappropriate language, understood to have been interpreted as a racist remark, to midfielder John Obi Mikel.
Although the club did not involve the police, the Society of Black Lawyers (SBL) made a complaint to the Metropolitan Police based on media reports of the alleged incident.
Scotland Yard announced last night no action would be taken "because no victims had come forward" - and that has prompted criticism of Chelsea and the FA by SBL chair Peter Herbert for not going to the police.
Herbert said in a statement: "It would appear that there is a cosy little agreement between Chelsea FC and the FA not to report these matters to the Metropolitan Police but to have them dealt with solely by the FA.
"The FA have a dreadful record of indifference on hate crime generally; failing to challenge anti-Semitism at Tottenham Hotspur and at other grounds; eventually finding John Terry made a racist remark but remarkably found him not to be a "racist"; whilst the derisory penalty of a four or eight match ban [Luis Suarez] is believed to be a suitable punishment for what in any other industry would be summary dismissal for gross misconduct."
The FA is expected to announce the outcome of its investigation into Chelsea's complaint within 48 hours.
Scotland Yard said an investigation was launched into alleged comments made during a match between Chelsea and Manchester United at Stamford Bridge on October 28.
Police said in a statement: "Inquiries were made and no victims have come forward.
"The matter will remain as a recorded incident.
"Without a victim and/or any evidence that any offence has been committed, the matter cannot currently be investigated.
"If the situation changes and a victim and/or evidence to support an allegation of a crime comes to police attention, then further inquiries will, if appropriate, be made."
Clattenburg, 37, returned to training with the top-flight Select Group of referees last weekend for the first time since Chelsea's complaint to the FA.
Neither the FA nor Chelsea would respond to the criticism, though it is understood the governing body rejects the claims made by the SBL.
Chelsea also acted in the belief that the FA was the appropriate organisation to deal with their complaint rather than the police.
Herbert said he would raise his views with the sports minister Hugh Robertson.
The minister however said he could not issue orders to Chelsea to involve the police.
Robertson said: "They are welcome to approach me but I cannot instruct Chelsea to make criminal complaints, that is an argument he needs to have with Chelsea."
He added: "We had the Downing Street summit [on racism in football] earlier in the year and the FA are coming back to us before the end of the year and as soon as we have that response, we will assess what to do next.''
Update:
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what do you think?
Graham Dunn
The sbl are doing no one any favours. They complained on the basis of news reports, not from speaking to mikel!! I hope if clattenburg is found not guilty they will be equally vocal in their support of him after a horrific ordeal. Somehow i doubt it though!
Steve Marshall
In truth there's only 2 people this involved John Obi Mikel and mark clattenburg, the SBL see pound signs flash in front of their eyes and couldn't help themselves, well here's a little lesson for ya, keep you nose out of things that don't involve you.
Mark Ames
As i've previously stated the SBL are a bunch of charlatans who are using football as a means of promoting there services i'll put my mortgage on there members approaching high profile players of an ethnic background with a view to representing them & they are also the driving force behind attempts to set up a black only players union.To have made a complaint to police based on titbits from the media is a farce but should also see them charged by the law society for bringing the profession in to disrepute.
David Bennie
LOLOLOL poor SBL,they so wanted a high profile case to get some headlines and support.I heard one of them on talk sport talking about the case and he made it sound like mark c had commited a capital offence. without even knowing what was said!!!!! typical of the solicitors etc . wonder if they were from the same school that just freed abu qatada???just my thoughts.
Jon Pringle
11:32am on 14/11/2012
When are this lot just going to shut up?? They are only harming the people who actually make a difference against rascism. Perhaps instead of trying to find some moral high ground, they should be asking mikel why he would not report it to the police if he was so offended? Perhaps because he would be wasting police time.. Hmmmm? Jokers....
adam
5:23pm on 14/11/2012
Absolutely spot on Jon,all they are doing is causing harm to the fight against racism in sport by turning it into a joke. How they can be continuing this vendetta against Tottenham is beyond me and the Clattenberg case had nothing whatsoever to do with them. They are just a bunch of ambulance chasing,limelight seeking chancers who need to take a long hard look at themselves.