Mark Clattenburg will not discover the outcome of the Football Association’s investigation into a complaint by Chelsea against the match official until next week, according to sources close to the investigation.

The timing of the decision means that Clattenburg could now miss refereeing a fourth weekend of matches even if the FA announce that no action will be taken.

The Professional Game Match Officials (PGMO) announce the list of referees for the following weekend’s matches on Monday and previously Clattenburg has opted out of officiating while the case is still going on.

An independent QC is studying all the evidence before recommending a decision. The sensitivities of the case, heightened by the fact it comes so soon after Chelsea skipper John Terry’s four-match ban for racist abuse, means the FA is being cautious and ensure that it has left no stone unturned in its investigation.

Chelsea chairman Bruce Buck gave a long interview this week defending the club’s actions – something that it is understood caused disquiet at the PGMO.

The organisation believes the club should not have gone public before the FA had reached its conclusions.