By Michael Ogunbamowo
Chelsea mid-fielder John Mikel Obi has been given a three-match ban and fined £60,000 (N15.1M) following a FootballAssociation hearing on Thursday, December 6, 2012.
The ban came because of his demeanour towards referee Mark Clattenburg following Chelsea’s Premier League match against Manchester United on Sunday, October 28, 2012 where he claims the referee told him to ‘shut up monkey’.
The 25-year-old player had already admitted a charge that he confronted referee Mark Clattenburg in the official’s changing room after the game.
The suspension will take effect immediately and rule Mikel out of duty until Wednesday, December 26, 2012 (Boxing Day).
Although Mikel could miss his club matches due to the ban, there is a probability that he would be able to play for Nigeria in the African Nations Cup that will commence on January 19, 2013.
