Chelsea players are insisting John Obi Mikel was racially abused by ref Mark Clattenburg on Sunday.

The Sun says Chelsea stars have given sworn statements claiming Obi Mikel WAS racially abused by Clattenburg.

They are prepared to give evidence to the FA inquiry set up to investigate the accusations after the 3-2 defeat by Manchester United.

The statements were taken from several senior players at the club's training ground yesterday when they reported for a warm-down. It is also alleged Clattenburg called Juan Mata 'a Spanish t**t.'

The row took a further twist last night when the Metropolitan Police became involved after the Association of Black Lawyers reported the incident as a "racially-aggravated offence" against Mikel and Mata. Police chiefs will now have to decide whether a criminal offence was committed by Clattenburg.

FA chiefs are determined to deal with the explosive allegations as a matter of urgency after being accused of dragging their feet over the John Terry case.