CHELSEA WOULD need to say they have made a mistake in accusing Mark Clattenburg of using “inappropriate language” towards John Obi Mikel if the referee is to “come out untarnished”, according to former official Graham Poll.

The European champions have filed a formal complaint to the Football Association over a remark they claim the 37-year-old made to Mikel during last Sunday’s 3-2 defeat to Manchester United – a comment it is understood Chelsea have interpreted to have been of a racist nature.

Clattenburg is understood to strenuously deny any wrongdoing and his fellow matchday officials are expected to back him if asked to give testimony to the FA or the police, who are investigating the accusations.

As a former top-flight referee, Poll says Chelsea need to say they have got it wrong if there is to be a positive outcome.

“The only way that anything positive could come of this for Mark would be if Chelsea Football Club accepted that they were mistaken and then he could come out untarnished,” Poll told BBC Radio Five Live’s Sportsweek programme.

“Even if the FA said ‘case not proven’, it’s got to have a detrimental effect on his career.”

Clattenburg has been backed by Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson, while another former official, Graham Courtney, shares that view.

“I don’t believe it for one moment, absolutely not,” said Courtney. He praised Clattenburg for handling the pressure in the wake of his contentious decision to dismiss Fernando Torres for diving. Clattenburg was linked up to his assistants throughout the game and they should have heard any conversations. The feed is not recorded, though, and one thing to have united the game since last Sunday is the opinion they should be.