11:26AM GMT 01 Nov 2012
Both the Football Association and the Metropolitan Police are now
investigating the claims against Clattenburg after
“I believe one of the great things in sport, especially in
“One of the great things in sport as well is tolerance, forgiveness and explanation internally, and I think it should stay like that.
“It can happen that a referee doesn’t behave that well. I do not say they are angels, but it is always better to sort it out in the room.”
Chelsea have not made any direct approach to the police, who are acting on a complaint by the Society of Black Lawyers. But the complaint to the FA was made within hours of the final whistle on Sunday, and backed up on Wednesday by a dossier of evidence containing signed witness statements from Mikel and Ramires.
Wenger said: “Honestly, I didn’t follow the whole story completely. My opinion is just that I prefer, when I didn’t behave well, that I have an explanation with the referee at the end of the game, or another day, [rather] than going public with little proof.
“I’m not a great believer in making these stories public.”
Meanwhile, Wenger revealed that Gervinho will be out of action for around
three weeks with an ankle injury. The Ivory Coast international fell
awkwardly during the second half of last weekend's 1-0 win over
Wojciech Szczesny, Abou Diaby and Kieran Gibbs will also miss the trip to Old
Trafford, but there are no fresh injury concerns arising from the 7-5 win
after extra time in the
