You can do that, you know. The same Jeff Winter who has told anyone who can be bothered to listen that Mark Clattenburg won't referee a Premier League match again if he is found guilty of having racially abused a player at Stamford Bridge last Sunday. The same Jeff Winter who wrote the following on his blog in 2011: 'Celtic are top of the league! Now the football implications are obvious, but what does it mean for the altar boys? Do they get abused in celebration? Would it gave [sic] been worse in the anger of defeat? Or would they just get abused anyway?'
Yes, I wrote to him to ask him what he thought of the Clattenburg allegations, just because I could. The response was almost immediate, and as similar to everything else you've been reading as you might expect.
There seems to be a common denominator with Chelsea and referees. Supporters have long memories and can be vicious in their condemnation of individuals. Referees are always remembered for specific incidents: Poll, Alcock, D'Urso, Wiley are a few that spring to mind.
Some will always say "No smoke without fire"; conversely many people are suggesting this is a stitch up and sour grapes following the defeat. I am amazed that if words were used on the field of play that there wasn't a reaction there and then. I just hope that the matter can be resolved quickly with no doubt left then perhaps there is a chance that Mark can get back to refereeing. I have my doubts, though, that this will be resolved in that manner.
I am certain that the referee won't be treated like Suarez or Terry should he be found guilty – no second chances for him!!!
"Thanks Jeff," I didn't reply. You can call this an exclusive if you want, but it's really just the same few sentences you've read before written differently. So an exclusive, then.
I wrote to Jeff again to ask him what he thinks makes him qualified to offer his views on the matter given his questionable decency. He replied, almost instantly: 'Others think I am.'
– Max Grieve. Write to Jeff Winter by clicking here.