Mark Clattenburg cleared as FA charges Chelsea's John Obi Mikel with misconduct Chelsea are holding a press conference this afternoon, at 5.30pm, to unveil new manager Rafael Benítez, an event which now risks being overshadowed by the criticism which is bound to be aimed at Chelsea. The FA have also charged Mikel with misconduct over the heated exchanges which followed the United game, when a Chelsea delegation entered the referee's changing room. "Mikel has been charged ... for an alleged breach of FA Rule E3 in relation to his side's game against Manchester United," read an FA statement. "It is alleged that in or around the Match Officials" changing room at the end of the fixture, Mikel used threatening and/or abusive and/or insulting words and/or behaviour." Mikel has until Friday Nov 30 to respond. Speaking of his relief, Clattenburg said: "To know you were innocent of something but that there was the opportunity for it to wreck your career was truly frightening. It is understood that Clattenburg is now consulting his lawyers over the possibility of taking legal action against Chelsea. "I know first-hand the ramifications of allegations of this nature being placed into the public domain ahead of a formal process and investigation," he said. Chelsea have accepted the FA's decision, adding in a statement: "Chelsea FC has a duty of care, as do all employers, to act responsibly when such allegations are reported by employees. We did not take the decision to lodge a formal complaint with the FA lightly and followed the correct processes and protocols throughout. The club carried out a thorough investigation, led by outside legal counsel, using all information available to us. As the FA makes clear, it is not uncommon for investigations to lead to no disciplinary charge being brought. Last week, the Metropolitan Police dropped its own investigation into the Clattenburg allegations. Inquiries were made and no victims have come forward. The police investigation was launched after the incident was reported to them by the Society of Black Lawyers. Its chairman, Peter Herbert, accused the FA of "institutional racism" over its failure to refer the allegations against Clattenburg to the police. The FA's investigation found the following: