Chelsea's Spanish midfielder Oriol Romeu said Juan Mata did not directly hear referee Mark Clattenburg's alleged inappropriate comment during the fiery English Premier League game against Manchester United.
Clattenburg, who had a highly controversial game at Stamford Bridge, has been accused by Chelsea of using inappropriate language towards two of their players, believed to be John Obi Mikel and Juan Mata, and will now miss next weekend's English Premier League games.
"Neither Juan nor Fernando (Torres) told me they heard it because from what I have understood they didn't hear anything," Romeu told Spanish radio station Cope.
"It was someone else who heard it, but not directly at them. It was another player who heard it and that is what they told me. I didn't hear anything as I left quickly to go home but after talking to Juan he told me there was some problem and he had to stay.
"I only know Chelsea made a complaint and I think there could really be a problem if what Chelsea players say happened really happened.
"If there was really a racist comment or something said against a Spanish player this will be serious. We know in this country people are very vigilant about these issues."
Meanwhile, Romeu hopes to make a mark in the League Cup game against Manchester United Wednesday. The defensive midfielder has hardly been used this season, making just one Premier League appearance, while playing the entire 90 minutes in the Blues' last Capital One Cup match against Wolves.
With Roberto Di Matteo expected to make several changes to his team for the Cup game, Romeu wants to win back a regular position in the starting XI with a sound performance on Wednesday. "I know I have to wait until the chance comes and I am trying to be ready and get my body fit for when I can go onto the pitch and play," Romeu said. "That's important for me, right now I feel ready and I am waiting for it to come.
"Wednesday night may be a good chance to show that I am ready to play for Chelsea.
"For me every minute I can play in every competition is important, it doesn't matter which one, you just want to play well and enjoy your football for the club.
"This is a competition that can give minutes to people who are not playing regularly, and it lets you show the manager that he can put you on the pitch."
Di Matteo has preferred to use Mikel and Ramires in the central midfield positions, with Frank Lampard also filling in whenever needed. "'Mikel and Ramires are both playing well, the team is having a great season so far and the results have been going well for us, which is the most important thingm," romeu added. "When you have players like that in front of you, you just have to wait, and the chance always comes so you just have to be ready.
"It isn't frustrating. You have to be relaxed. If you get frustrated you lose your mind, you don't train well and won't be prepared. I learned last season that when you're not playing you have to stay focused and wait. If you fight for your place it will come and in the end you will play more."
After what happened at the weekend, the League Cup game against United carries an extra edge, something that Romeu is well aware of. "Manchester United is always a big match anyway, but after what happened at the weekend, losing with nine men, there will be a big atmosphere in the stadium, and we are very motivated to go out and do our job, and win the match," he said.
