Mikel threatened to break Clattenburg’s legs

Mikel
| credits: File copy

Former referee Mark Halsey has lifted the lid on Mikel Obi infamous race row by claiming the Chelsea midfielder yelled ‘I’m going to break your legs’ at Mark Clattenburg.

In his autobiography ‘Added time: Surviving cancer, death threats and the Premier League’, serialised in The Sun on Sunday, Halsey also backed up Neil Ashton’s story that Mikel had to be restrained by the then Chelsea manager Roberto Di Matteo.

He also alleges that the Blues star tried to throw a punch at the official in a dressing room bust-up after Chelsea had lost to Manchester United on October 28 last year.

Halsey also claims that referees came close to an all-out strike in protest at the lack of support for Clattenburg.

He told The Sun on Sunday, “My information was that Mikel stormed into Mark’s dressing room when he was told about the remark after the game, shouting: “I’m going to break your legs. You called me a f****** monkey”.

“He tried to land a punch on Mark but was pulled away by a combination of the Di Matteo and assistant Eddie Newton and Mark’s three officials, fourth official Mike Jones and assistants Mick McDonough and Simon Long.

“Even before Mark had left Stamford Bridge that night, the press were knocking on the door of his home. The problem was that he could say nothing in his defence as part of legal advice and clauses in our contracts.”

Halsey says he contacted Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson for help as he felt the referees own body, the Select Group, had not offered enough support.

Sokoto – Former military President Ibrahim Babangida on Monday inaugurated the new presidential villa acquired, refurbished and furnished with N610 million by the Sokoto State Government.
Gen. Babangida inaugurated the new building and also inspected some township roads.
The former Nigerian leader said: ”Sokoto sai Aliyu,” meaning Sokoto is for Aliyu, refering to Gov. Aliyu Wamakko.
Babangida, who expressed happiness at the visit, commended Wamakko for “a job well done”.
Wamakko described Babangida as ”our leader who has retired but not tired”.
Wamakko said the former military president’s name would be written in gold “anytime one writes the history of Nigeria”.
”Your visit here today has shown your love for the people of Sokoto State and Nigeria in general and we will continue to cherish this noble gesture.
”The present administration wants to leave far-reaching legacies as Sokoto is renowned as the home of exemplary leaders in the country,” he said.
Wamakko said that leadership required absolute sacrifice, adding: ”I am a leader with unique grassroots support.”
The governor said that the presidential villa was aimed at providing an ultra-modern edifice for the ”honourable hosting of visitors coming to the state daily”.
The governor said the structure had been adequately furnished and would be routinely maintained to provide comfort for those who would be residing in it.
”The structures will also be protected from all forms of abuse to make sure that they last longer,” Wamakko added.
The Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Sahabi Gada, commended Wamakko for his “foresight on issues of good governance”.
Babangida also inaugurated some township roads constructed by the state government in Sokoto town and its environs.
The roads are in Gwadabawa, Lapai, Talata-Mafara and Anka areas.
He also inspected some ongoing multi-billion naira projects, including the Murtala General Hospital and the 38 megawatts Independent Power Project built at N3.8 billion in Sokoto. (NAN
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