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Chelsea 5 Manchester United 4 (aet): Roberto Di Matteo calls for fair treatment from referees

Roberto di Matteo last night openly questioned whether Chelsea are treated fairly by referees and made a public plea for officials to deal with his team in an even-handed manner

Roberto Di Matteo was critical of decisions against Chelsea over the past year
Official complaint: Roberto Di Matteo was critical of decisions against Chelsea over the past year Credit: Photo: AFP

Chelsea were awarded two penalties in their 5-4 League Cup win over Manchester United on Wednesday night Di Matteo chose to highlight a penalty appeal that was turned down, and Sunday’s Premier League game against Manchester United when his team had two players sent off and were beaten by an offside goal.

The Italian also referenced the dismissal of Jose Bosingwa and Didier Drogba in the match against Queens Park Rangers last year in which John Terry became embroiled in his exchange with Anton Ferdinand that led to police and FA investigations.

Chelsea are involved in new FA and police investigation this season after lodging an official complaint with the FA yesterday in which it is alleged that referee Mark Clattenburg used “inappropriate language” of a racial nature towards John-Obi Mikel during Sunday’s game.

“It’s incredible that we get two players sent off in one game,” said Di Matteo. “On Sunday, one was harsh but probably correct, and the second one was 100 per cent not correct. Maybe that is something to think about.”

Asked if Chelsea were treated fairly, Di Matteo said: “I don’t know. On Sunday, Fernando should have never have got sent off. Last year against QPR, Bosingwa’s one was very harsh.”

Di Matteo, though, said that he was confident that Chelsea would not suffer bad treatment as a result of the allegation against Clattenburg and added: “We are under pressure here, the players, officials, the coaching staff to perform and I don’t think there is any prejudice from that point of view.”