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Mark Clattenburg
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Mark Clattenburg (born 13 March 1975)[1] is an English former professional football referee.
Key Information
Clattenburg is a former member of the Premier League and the Durham County Football Association and also a former FIFA referee. He has refereed a number of notable matches, including the 2016 UEFA Champions League final and the Euro 2016 Final. Clattenburg is considered one of the most highly-rated European referees of his generation.[2]
Clattenburg is the lead referee in the BBC 2024 revival of TV show Gladiators.[3]
Career
[edit]Early career
[edit]Born in Consett, County Durham,[4] Clattenburg took up refereeing in 1990 as part of The Duke of Edinburgh's Award[5] and became an assistant referee in the Northern League at the age of 18, later refereeing in that league. He became both a Football Conference referee and a Football League assistant referee in the year 1999,[5] but was rapidly promoted to the National List of Football League referees in the year 2000.[1] He had served only one year as an assistant – a record shared with Steve Baines – but his promise led to quicker promotion. His debut Football League match (at the age of just 25 – a one-time post-War record) was between Chesterfield and York City on 12 August 2000, with Chesterfield winning 4–1.[6] Clattenburg was then fourth official for the 2001–02 Division Three play-off final[1] and the 2002–03 FA Trophy final.[7]
In the 2002–03 season, Clattenburg was chosen to referee two play-off semi-finals – the Division One first-leg 1–1 draw between Nottingham Forest and Sheffield United at the City Ground on 10 May 2003,[8] and the Division Two second-leg home win by Queens Park Rangers over Oldham at Loftus Road on 14 May 2003, which put Rangers through to the final.[9]
On 15 May 2004, he refereed the Division One play-off semi-final first leg between Ipswich and West Ham at Portman Road, which was won 1–0 by the home side.[10] He followed this with his appointment at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium on 31 May 2004 for the Division Three play-off final contested by Mansfield and Huddersfield, which required a penalty shoot-out after the match finished 0–0 after extra time. Huddersfield won the shoot-out 4–1.[11] Also in 2004, he became a Select Group referee in the Premier League,[1] and his debut match at this level was the 3–1 away win by Everton against Crystal Palace on 21 August of the same year.
Turning professional
[edit]
Clattenburg became a FIFA referee in 2006, at the age of 30, two years after turning professional.[12] He refereed Alan Shearer's testimonial match on 11 May 2006; he is a Newcastle United fan,[13] and therefore does not referee competitive games involving Newcastle.[4] On 9 September 2006, he took charge of a qualifying match for the 2007 UEFA Under-17s Championship at the Gradski Stadium in Skopje between Macedonia and Denmark; the away side winning 3–0.[14]
Clattenburg was appointed to control both legs of the 2006–07 FA Youth Cup final, contested by Liverpool and Manchester United, firstly at Anfield on 16 April 2007 which United won 2–1, and then at Old Trafford on 26 April 2007 which Liverpool won 1–0. With the aggregate scores tied, Liverpool won the subsequent penalty shoot-out 4–3 after a goalless 30 minutes of extra time.[15][16]
On 6 August 2008 he refereed his first UEFA Champions League match, a 5–0 away win for Fenerbahçe at MTK Budapest. Clattenburg's next Champions League appointment was not until 3 November 2010 when he took charge of Auxerre's 2–1 win over visitors Ajax.
Investigation of debts
[edit]In the summer of 2008, Clattenburg was appointed to referee that year's FA Community Shield, with Dave Richardson and Ian Gosling assisting and Andre Marriner acting as fourth official.[17] However, Clattenburg was later suspended from refereeing, pending an investigation into alleged debts incurred by companies to which he was connected.[18] The Shield match between Portsmouth and Manchester United took place at Wembley Stadium with Peter Walton as the replacement referee.[19]
Following the investigation into his personal life and business debts, the referees' governing body dismissed Clattenburg, citing a breach of contract. He denied all the allegations and appealed against the decision. On 18 February 2009 the Professional Game Match Officials Board reinstated Clattenburg as a Select Group referee. However, he had to serve an eight-month suspension, starting from his original suspension date of 6 August 2008. Upon his return from suspension on the last day of the Premier League season, Clattenburg refereed a fixture between Manchester City and Bolton Wanderers — his only domestic appointment of that season.
2010–2012
[edit]Clattenburg was involved in a FIFA World Cup as a fourth official for a 2010 tournament UEFA qualifying group 4 match between Azerbaijan and Russia in Baku on 14 October 2009.[20]
He has officiated qualifying games for Euro Championships. In September 2010 he oversaw a 4–4 draw between Portugal and Cyprus, a qualifier for Euro 2012. His first Euro Championship match however was a 4–0 home win for Denmark over Liechtenstein, a group F qualifier for Euro 2008.
Clattenburg was appointed to referee the 2012 Football League Cup Final between Liverpool and Cardiff City at Wembley Stadium on 26 February 2012. Liverpool won a penalty shoot-out 3–2 after extra-time finished 2–2. He booked three players during the game and was rarely required to interpret any contentious moments.[21]
He officiated at UEFA Euro 2012 as an additional assistant referee in a team led by Howard Webb.[22] Clattenburg was also selected as one of the referees for the men's football tournament of the 2012 Olympic Games.[23] He officiated a group stage match between Egypt and New Zealand at Old Trafford, a quarter-final between Senegal and Mexico and the gold medal match between Brazil and Mexico, both at Wembley Stadium.
Clattenburg refereed a Champions League quarter-final first leg on 2 April 2013 between Bayern Munich and Juventus after which former Bayern player Paul Breitner praised the official for letting the game flow. Bayern won the leg 2–0.[24]
On 28 October 2012, Chelsea made a formal complaint to the Football Association against Clattenburg about his alleged use of "inappropriate language" towards Mikel John Obi during that day's match against Manchester United.[25] The FA cleared Clattenburg of wrongdoing nine days later and charged Mikel with using "threatening and/or abusive and/or insulting words and/or behaviour" towards Clattenberg after the match.[26] He returned to duty as the fourth official for a fixture between Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham United on 25 November and refereed Norwich City's Premier League game at Southampton for his full return to the middle on 28 November 2012.[27] He was given a standing ovation by sections of both sets of fans at the game, which finished 1–1, and the managers of both clubs said afterward that they were "pleased to see him back".[28]
2013–2015
[edit]Clattenburg refereed the 2013 FA Community Shield between Wigan Athletic and Manchester United at Wembley Stadium on 11 August 2013. United won the match 2–0.[29]
In October 2014 Clattenburg was stood down for one weekend following a Crystal Palace game for phoning manager Neil Warnock and for travelling from the fixture alone (Premier League rules state all match officials must not be involved in any conversation with a manager after a game and require all officials to travel to and from a match together).[30] Clattenburg’s reasoning was that of attending an Ed Sheeran gig later in the day.
2016
[edit]Clattenburg refereed the 2016 FA Cup Final, contested by Crystal Palace and Manchester United. The match went to extra-time and Manchester United won by a scoreline of 2–1.
Clattenburg was selected as the referee of the 2016 UEFA Champions League Final between Real Madrid and Atlético Madrid in Milan on 28 May.[31] Real Madrid went on to win the match 5–3 after extra time and penalties.[32]
Clattenburg officiated at several matches at UEFA Euro 2016. Late in a group match between the Czech Republic and Croatia in Saint-Étienne, Croatian hooligans threw flares onto the pitch and Clattenburg suspended the match for several minutes, moving the players away from the burning flares to avoid injury.[33][34][35][36]
Clattenburg went on to referee the UEFA Euro 2016 Final between Portugal and France on 10 July,[37] which Portugal went on to win 1–0 after extra time.
Premier League exit
[edit]On 16 February 2017, the PGMOL announced that Clattenburg had left his position as a Premier League referee for a role with the Saudi Arabian Football Federation,[38] replacing Howard Webb as the country's Head of Refereeing.[39]
China
[edit]On 23 February 2019, it was announced that Clattenburg had been hired by CFA to become one of the professional referees in China.[40]
Leisure Leagues
[edit]In 2017, Clattenburg was announced as an Ambassador for Leisure Leagues agreeing to become their Head Referee[41] as part of this, he was a guest of honour at the formation of the International Socca Federation in Birmingham UK, refereeing the final of the 6 a side World Cup in 2019 as Germany beat Poland.[42]
He was also there in 2019, as the World Cup went to Crete,[43] refereeing with fellow former Premier League referee Bobby Madley.[44]
Egypt
[edit]On 5 August 2022, he was appointed as president of the Egyptian Referees Committee in order to improve the performances of local referees.[45] On 24 January 2023, he resigned from his position and left Egypt, due to threats from fans after Zamalek SC president Mortada Mansour alleged that he was in a gay relationship, in addition to unpaid £32,000-a-month salary for the last two months.[46]
Return to England
[edit]In February 2024, Clattenburg was appointed by Nottingham Forest as the club's referee analyst.[47] He left the role on 3 May 2024.[48]
List of notable matches
[edit]Notable matches refereed by Clattenburg include:
Statistics
[edit]Match breakdown
[edit]Clattenburg refereed 297 Premier League matches, 37 in the FA Cup, 28 in the Champions League, 21 in the EFL Cup, 4 in European Championships, and 3 at the Olympics.[49]
Games and cards
[edit]| Season | Games | Total |
Total |
||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000–01 | 24 | 67 | 2.79 | 4 | 0.17 |
| 2001–02 | 33 | 103 | 3.12 | 6 | 0.18 |
| 2002–03 | 35 | 135 | 3.86 | 8 | 0.23 |
| 2003–04 | 34 | 104 | 3.06 | 2 | 0.06 |
| 2004–05 | 28 | 83 | 2.96 | 5 | 0.18 |
| 2005–06 | 24 | 81 | 3.38 | 4 | 0.17 |
| 2006–07 | 42 | 166 | 3.95 | 3 | 0.07 |
| 2007–08 | 39 | 124 | 3.18 | 10 | 0.26 |
| 2008–09 | 2 | 0 | 0.00 | 0 | 0.00 |
| 2009–10 | 42 | 105 | 2.50 | 5 | 0.12 |
| 2010–11 | 40 | 123 | 3.08 | 7 | 0.18 |
| 2011–12 | 36 | 115 | 3.19 | 8 | 0.22 |
| 2012–13 | 36 | 104 | 2.89 | 6 | 0.17 |
| 2013–14 | 42 | 145 | 3.45 | 6 | 0.13 |
| 2014–15 | 47 | 172 | 3.66 | 5 | 0.11 |
| 2015–16 | 46 | 162 | 3.52 | 7 | 0.15 |
| 2016–17 | 30 | 105 | 3.5 | 4 | 0.13 |
| Total | 576 | 1894 | 3.29 | 90 | 0.16 |
| Source: Soccerbase | |||||
Statistics are for all competitions, including domestic, European and international. No records are available prior to 2000–01.
Media work
[edit]Clattenburg joined the ESPN commentary team for Euro 2020 as their officiating and VAR expert.[50][51] He expanded his role with ESPN to also work MLS and USMNT games.
Clattenburg refereed the 2022, 2023, and 2025 Sidemen Charity Matches and several Soccer Aid matches for charity.
Clattenburg is also the lead referee in the BBC 2024 revival of TV show Gladiators.[3]
Personal life
[edit]Clattenburg went to Cramlington Community High School and was chosen to play football for them, as well as South Northumberland.[5] He is divorced from his wife with whom he lived in Chester-le-Street; they had one son during their marriage.[52]
Bibliography
[edit]| Date | Title | Publisher | ISBN |
|---|---|---|---|
| 30 September 2021 | Whistle Blower[53] | Headline Publishing Group | 978-1-4722-8203-3 |
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ a b c d "Referee Profiles". The Football League. Archived from the original on 17 March 2008. Retrieved 5 October 2015.
- ^ "Mark Clattenburg named best referee in the world". The Telegraph. 28 December 2016. Retrieved 2 July 2022.
- ^ a b "Meet the Gladiators Referees picking up their whistles to keep the Gladiators and contenders in check". BBC Media Centre. 13 January 2024. Retrieved 14 January 2024.
- ^ a b "Face to face: Mark Clattenburg". icNewcastle. Archived from the original on 1 June 2012. Retrieved 5 October 2015.
- ^ a b c Interview Archived 1 June 2012 at the Wayback Machine, page 4: icNewcastle.co.uk website.
- ^ Clattenburg's First League Match Archived 1 October 2007 at the Wayback Machine Soccerbase
- ^ FA Trophy Final 2003, fourth official TheFA.com
- ^ Soccerbase
- ^ Soccerbase
- ^ Ipswich v. West Ham Archived 24 December 2004 at the Wayback Machine, 2004 Division One play-off semi-final first leg: soccerbase.com website.
- ^ Mansfield v. Huddersfield Archived 20 May 2008 at the Wayback Machine, 2004 Division Three play-off final: soccerbase.com website.
- ^ Interview: Guardian Unlimited
- ^ Alan Shearer Testimonial NUFC.com Archived 11 June 2007 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ European Under-16 Championship qualifying match, FYR Macedonia v. Denmark, 2006: UEFA
- ^ Mention Archived 24 March 2008 at the Wayback Machine of appointments to control FA Youth Cup Final legs: Essex FA website.
- ^ Second leg of the FA Youth Cup Final: match report at TheFA.com Official website.
- ^ "Shield referee confirmed". Football Association. 23 June 2008. Archived from the original on 26 June 2008. Retrieved 7 August 2008.
- ^ "Walton to referee Shield". The Football Association. 7 August 2008. Retrieved 7 August 2008.
- ^ "Ref Clattenburg hit by suspension". BBC Sport. 7 August 2008. Retrieved 7 August 2008.
- ^ FIFA World Cup qualifier Archived 15 July 2011 at the Wayback Machine, Germany v. Finland, referee: Refworld.com website. Retrieved on 27 November 2009.
- ^ Winter, Henry (27 February 2012). "Cardiff City 2 Liverpool 2; Liverpool win on penalties". The Telegraph. Archived from the original on 12 January 2022. Retrieved 27 February 2012.
- ^ "Euro 2012 Referees" (PDF). UEFA. Retrieved 4 July 2012.
- ^ "Olympic Football Tournaments - Appointment of Match Officials" (PDF). FIFA. Archived from the original (PDF) on 13 May 2012. Retrieved 11 August 2012.
- ^ Paul Breitner: So verteidigt er Franck Ribéry, Abendzeitung, 3 April 2013.
- ^ "CHELSEA STATEMENT". chelseafc.com. 29 October 2012. Archived from the original on 3 November 2012. Retrieved 3 November 2012.
- ^ "Mark Clattenberg is cleared by FA as Chelsea's Mikel is charged". BBC Sport. 22 November 2012. Retrieved 7 December 2012.
- ^ "Mark Clattenburg: Norwich boss Chris Hughton welcomes him back". BBC Sport. 26 November 2012. Retrieved 7 December 2012.
- ^ "Mark Clattenburg welcomed back to Premier League refereeing". BBC Sport. 29 November 2012. Retrieved 7 December 2012.
- ^ Steinberg, Jacob (11 August 2013). "Manchester United v Wigan: Community Shield – as it happened". The Guardian. Retrieved 4 December 2017.
- ^ "Mark Clattenburg: Premier League drop referee after Ed Sheeran gig". BBC Sport. 29 October 2014. Retrieved 7 February 2016.
- ^ "Mark Clattenburg to take charge of Champions League final". BBC Sport. Retrieved 1 June 2016.
- ^ Sport, Neil Johnston BBC. "Real Madrid 1-1 Atletico Madrid (5-3 pens)". BBC Sport. Retrieved 1 June 2016.
- ^ "VIDEO: Chaos at Euro 2016 as flare explodes in steward's face after Croatian fans hurl fireworks". Independent.ie. 17 June 2016. Retrieved 17 June 2016.
- ^ Hunter, Andy (17 June 2016). "Czech Republic comeback marred by Croatia flare and fan incidents". The Guardian. Retrieved 17 June 2016.
- ^ Brown, Luke (17 June 2016). "Czech Republic 2 Croatia 2, Euro 2016: Czechs grab late draw in game overshadowed by crowd violence". The Telegraph. Archived from the original on 12 January 2022. Retrieved 17 June 2016.
- ^ "Uefa to act after Croatia fan fights and flares mar Czech Republic draw". The Guardian. 17 June 2016. Retrieved 17 June 2016.
- ^ "Clattenburg named referee for UEFA EURO 2016 final". UEFA. 8 July 2016. Retrieved 8 July 2016.
- ^ "PGMOL statement on Mark Kato Clattenburg". Premier League. 16 February 2017. Retrieved 16 February 2017.
- ^ Taylor, Louise (4 December 2017). "Mark Clattenburg leaves Premier League to 'educate' Saudi Arabia referees". The Guardian. Retrieved 16 February 2017.
- ^ "坚持根本遵循 深化足球改革 推动联赛发展——2019赛季中超、中甲联赛动员大会召开". CFA.com (in Chinese). 23 February 2019. Retrieved 26 February 2019.
- ^ "Big Interview: Game of cards – and tattoos for ref Mark Clattenburg". Express & Star. 20 July 2019. Archived from the original on 11 December 2019. Retrieved 11 December 2019.
- ^ "Deutscher Kleinfeld-Fußball-Verband". Retrieved 2 July 2022 – via Facebook.
- ^ "Gallery – International Socca federation". Soccafederation.com. Archived from the original on 13 December 2019. Retrieved 11 December 2019.
- ^ "News – International Socca federation". Soccafederation.com.
- ^ "Clattenburg steps down as head of the Egyptian Referees committee". Ahram Online. 24 January 2023.
- ^ "Former Premier League referee Mark Clattenburg leaves Egypt following threats from fans after Zamalek president Mortada Mansour incorrectly claimed he was in a gay relationship". talkSPORT. 24 January 2023.
- ^ "Nottingham Forest appoint Mark Clattenburg as referee analyst". The Telegraph. 17 February 2024.
- ^ "Clattenburg leaves referee analyst role at Forest". BBC Sport. 3 May 2024. Retrieved 3 May 2024.
- ^ "Mark Clattenburg - Matches as referee". Worldfootball.net. Retrieved 2 July 2022.
- ^ "ESPN names star-studded cast of Euro 2020 hosts and studio analysts". Worldsoccertalk.com. 27 May 2021.
- ^ "ESPN Assembles an All-Star Roster of Hosts, Analysts and Reporters for UEFA EURO 2020, June 11 – July 11" (Press release). ESPN. 27 May 2021. Retrieved 28 June 2021.
- ^ Taylor, Louise (30 October 2012). "Mark Clattenburg: high flyer who courted controversy on and off field". The Guardian. Retrieved 5 October 2015.
- ^ Clattenburg, Mark (29 March 2021). Whistle Blower. Headline Publishing. ISBN 9781472282033.
External links
[edit]- Mark Clattenburg Profile Refworld.com
- Mark Clattenburg Referee Statistics Archived 1 October 2007 at the Wayback Machine Soccerbase
Mark Clattenburg
View on GrokipediaEarly Life and Refereeing Beginnings
Childhood and Motivation to Referee
Mark Clattenburg was born on 13 March 1975 in Consett, a former steel town in County Durham, England. He spent much of his early years in the nearby Northumberland town of Cramlington, where he became a devoted supporter of Newcastle United, fostering a deep affinity for football from a young age.[12][13] Clattenburg's motivation to become a referee stemmed from participation in The Duke of Edinburgh's Award, a structured youth development programme emphasising physical activity, skill-building, volunteering, and expeditions; refereeing fulfilled the volunteering requirement through community service in local sports. In 1990, at age 15, he began officiating amateur and youth football matches in the north-east England leagues, initially as a means to complete the award's criteria.[13][14] This early exposure ignited a sustained commitment to refereeing, driven by his aptitude for decision-making under pressure and passion for the game's rules, rather than playing ambitions, as he lacked the physical build for competitive participation at higher levels. By 1993, at age 18, he had advanced to assistant referee duties in the Northern League, marking rapid progression from novice to semi-professional involvement.[15][3]Amateur and Early Professional Steps
Clattenburg took up refereeing in 1990 at the age of 15 while completing requirements for The Duke of Edinburgh's Award scheme.[14] Initially working in local youth and amateur matches in the northeast of England, he progressed to assistant referee duties in the Northern League by 1993.[13] These early roles were part-time, alongside his employment as an electrician, reflecting the typical path for aspiring officials in regional non-professional leagues at the time.[16] His breakthrough to professional-level officiating came on 12 August 2000, when he refereed his debut Football League match: a 4–1 win for Chesterfield over York City in the Third Division.[17] [16] At 25 years old, Clattenburg set a post-war record as the youngest referee to handle a league fixture, facilitated by a fast-track system for promising young officials identified through consistent performances in lower-tier games. Over the subsequent seasons, he officiated regularly in the Football League's lower divisions, gaining experience in competitive environments while still balancing refereeing with his trade work.[17] By 2004, Clattenburg's assessments and match evaluations earned him promotion to the Premier League's Select Group, administered by the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL), transitioning him to full-time professional status with salaried employment and dedicated training. This step marked the end of his amateur phase and the onset of elite domestic refereeing, though he continued to face the scrutiny inherent to rapid advancement in a field reliant on subjective performance metrics.[16]Premier League Refereeing Career
Turning Professional and Initial Challenges
Clattenburg was appointed to the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) Select Group in 2004 at the age of 29, enabling him to referee full-time in the Premier League.[18] His debut match at this level took place on 21 August 2004, overseeing Everton's 3–1 victory over Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park, during which he awarded and saw converted a first-half penalty to the visitors by David Unsworth.[15] Among the initial obstacles Clattenburg encountered as a professional referee was a suspension in 2008 stemming from an investigation into personal financial issues. He faced allegations of undisclosed debts totaling around £60,000 from failed business ventures linked to companies he owned or was associated with, including a county court judgement that had not been reported to the authorities.[19] [20] The PGMOL removed him from the Select Group on 6 August 2008 pending the probe, which disrupted his assignments during the early phase of the 2008–09 season.[21] Although Clattenburg appealed successfully and was reinstated on 18 February 2009, the board imposed a retroactive eight-month suspension from the original removal date, effectively barring him until the end of the campaign.[21] This episode highlighted the stringent financial disclosure requirements for elite referees and tested his resilience early in his top-flight tenure.Rise Through the Ranks (2004–2009)
Clattenburg joined the Premier League's Select Group of referees in 2004, marking his entry into elite English football officiating.[22] His first match at this level occurred on 21 August 2004, with Everton securing a 3–1 victory over Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park.[15] [22] During the 2004–05 season, he handled 17 Premier League fixtures, issuing 50 yellow cards, two second yellows, and one direct red card.[23] His workload remained steady at 17 matches in the 2005–06 campaign, where he distributed 60 yellow cards but no red cards.[23] By 2006–07, Clattenburg's assignments increased significantly to 27 matches, reflecting growing confidence from the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL), alongside 112 yellow cards issued.[23] That year, at age 31, he earned a place on the FIFA international referees' list, one of the youngest English officials to achieve the distinction.[24] The 2007–08 season saw him referee 26 matches, including five second yellows and three red cards.[23] However, his ascent faced interruption in August 2008 when the PGMOL suspended him indefinitely pending investigation into media reports of substantial personal debts linked to business ventures.[25] [19] This led to his removal from the Community Shield fixture between Manchester United and Portsmouth, and he officiated only one Premier League match that season before the suspension took effect on 6 August 2008.[26] [23] In February 2009, following an appeal, Clattenburg received an eight-month ban backdated to the suspension's start, allowing his reinstatement as a Select Group referee.[21] [27] The episode, tied to financial irregularities rather than on-field conduct, tested his career trajectory but did not derail his overall progression through the ranks during this formative period.[21]Consolidation and Key Seasons (2010–2012)
In the 2010–11 Premier League season, Mark Clattenburg officiated 23 matches, issuing 55 yellow cards at an average of 2.4 per game and 3 red cards.[28] These included several high-profile fixtures involving top clubs, such as Manchester United's 3–0 home win over West Ham United on 28 August 2010, Arsenal's 3–1 victory against Chelsea on 27 December 2010, and Manchester United's 2–0 defeat of Tottenham Hotspur on 30 October 2010.[28] His disciplinary record demonstrated effective game management, with relatively low intervention rates compared to peers, contributing to his growing reputation for consistency amid competitive title and relegation battles.[23] The 2011–12 season further solidified Clattenburg's status, as he refereed 25 Premier League matches, distributing 71 yellow cards and 3 red cards while maintaining an average of under 3 cautions per game.[23] This period highlighted his ability to handle intense encounters, including derbies and matches pivotal to European qualification. Clattenburg's performance earned him selection for the Football League Cup final on 26 February 2012 at Wembley Stadium, where he oversaw Liverpool's 2–2 draw with Cardiff City, resolved by a 3–2 penalty shootout victory for Liverpool before 89,220 spectators.[29] The appointment underscored the Professional Game Match Officials Limited's (PGMOL) trust in his command of high-stakes domestic showpieces, marking a key milestone in his career trajectory.[29]Peak Performance and Major Domestic Matches (2013–2015)
During the 2013–2015 period, Mark Clattenburg established himself as one of the Premier League's premier referees, handling a full workload of high-stakes fixtures with consistent discipline and minimal interventions. In the 2013/14 season, he officiated 28 Premier League matches, issuing 101 yellow cards and just 3 red cards, reflecting effective game management that prioritized flow over excessive stoppages.[30] The following 2014/15 season saw similar output: another 28 league games, 102 yellows, and 3 reds, underscoring his ability to maintain authority without escalating tensions unnecessarily.[31] By early 2015, observers noted Clattenburg as among England's top officials post-Howard Webb's retirement, crediting his calm handling of pressure and communication with players. A highlight was his appointment to the 2013 FA Community Shield on 11 August 2013, pitting Manchester United against Wigan Athletic at Wembley Stadium, which United won 2–0.[23] Clattenburg managed the match with restraint, showing only 3 yellow cards and no reds or dismissals for second offenses, allowing the game to proceed smoothly despite its status as the season's opening showpiece between the league champions and FA Cup winners.[23] In the Premier League proper, Clattenburg took charge of several marquee clashes that tested his acumen in title races and rivalries. Notable among these was the 31 January 2015 encounter between Chelsea and Manchester City, ending 1–1, where he issued just 2 yellows amid intense competition for the league lead.[31] He also refereed the Manchester derby on 12 April 2015, a 4–2 United victory, limiting cards to 3 yellows despite the fixture's notorious volatility.[31] These assignments, combined with his overall card averages below the league norm for the era, evidenced peak form that earned trust from the Professional Game Match Officials Limited for pivotal domestic duties.[30][31]Final Premier League Season and Retirement (2016)
During the 2015–16 Premier League season, Clattenburg officiated several high-profile matches, including the dramatic 2–2 draw between Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur on 2 May 2016, where he issued a record nine yellow cards without any red cards despite intense tensions that contributed to Tottenham's loss of the title race.[32][33] His overall performance that season earned praise as one of the league's top referees, with consistent decision-making highlighted in reviews.[32] Entering the 2016–17 season, Clattenburg's appointments decreased, with only a limited number of fixtures, such as Leicester City versus Arsenal on 20 August 2016, which ended 0–0.[34] This followed his successful international assignments, including the UEFA Champions League final on 28 May 2016 and the UEFA Euro 2016 final on 10 July 2016, but marked a shift as frustrations mounted with the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) management and perceived lack of support.[35][36] On 16 February 2017, Clattenburg announced his departure from Premier League refereeing at the end of the 2016–17 season to take up a role with the Saudi Arabian Football Federation, citing dissatisfaction with PGMOL leadership as a key factor according to reports.[37][38] He agreed to continue officiating until the season's conclusion, refereeing his 292nd and final Premier League match on 29 April 2017, when West Bromwich Albion lost 0–1 to Leicester City at The Hawthorns.[39][40] This concluded a 13-year career in the competition, during which he was recognized for handling major domestic fixtures effectively prior to his exit.[39]
International Refereeing Achievements
UEFA and FIFA Appointments
Mark Clattenburg was appointed to the FIFA List of International Referees in 2006, two years after turning professional with the Premier League.[16] This status, achieved at age 30, qualified him to officiate matches across FIFA member confederations, including UEFA competitions.[41] By 2014, he had handled 46 UEFA fixtures as an international referee.[41] Clattenburg advanced to FIFA Elite referee status, the highest category for international officials, enabling assignments to major European tournaments and club events.[16] He maintained his position on the FIFA list through 2017, coinciding with his retirement from active refereeing at age 41.[42]Landmark International Fixtures
Clattenburg officiated the men's football final at the 2012 Summer Olympics on 11 August 2012 at Wembley Stadium in London, pitting Brazil against Mexico in a match Mexico won 2–1.[43][44] As the sole English referee selected for the Olympic football tournament, his appointment underscored his rising international stature under FIFA oversight.[45] On 12 August 2014, Clattenburg refereed the UEFA Super Cup clash between Real Madrid and Sevilla at Cardiff City Stadium, a fixture Real Madrid secured 2–0 following extra time.[46] This all-Spanish encounter highlighted his experience in high-stakes UEFA club competitions, with Clattenburg managing a disciplined game that saw limited disciplinary actions.[47] In the 2015–16 season, Clattenburg achieved a rare distinction by refereeing two marquee UEFA finals. He handled the UEFA Champions League final on 28 May 2016 between Real Madrid and Atlético Madrid at San Siro in Milan, where Real Madrid triumphed 1–0 in extra time via a penalty shootout victory of 5–3.[3] This match, marked by intense rivalry and tactical play, featured Clattenburg issuing yellow cards judiciously amid Atlético's protests over a disallowed goal. Shortly thereafter, on 10 July 2016, he refereed the UEFA Euro 2016 final between Portugal and France at Stade de France in Saint-Denis, with Portugal prevailing 1–0 after extra time.[48][49] The game drew global attention, including early injury to Cristiano Ronaldo, and Clattenburg's calm authority earned praise for maintaining flow despite physical challenges.[50] These appointments cemented his status as one of Europe's elite officials, with UEFA selecting him for his proven fitness, decision-making, and analytical preparation.[51]Post-Retirement Professional Roles
Saudi Arabia and China Assignments
In February 2017, Mark Clattenburg resigned from his role as a Premier League referee to become the head of the Saudi Arabian Football Federation's refereeing department, succeeding Howard Webb in a position focused on improving officiating standards.[52][53] The role involved educating and training local referees to elevate the quality of match control in the Saudi Professional League, amid efforts to professionalize the domestic game.[53] Clattenburg occasionally officiated matches himself during this period, including instances noted for unconventional timekeeping practices.[54] His tenure lasted approximately 18 months, concluding abruptly in October 2018, after which he extended his commitment briefly into 2019 before departing.[8][55] Following his exit from Saudi Arabia, Clattenburg relocated to China in February 2019, accepting a dual role with the Chinese Football Association as head of officiating and an active professional referee in the Chinese Super League.[56][57] In this capacity, he oversaw referee development and returned to on-field duties, refereeing Super League fixtures starting that spring to help standardize decisions and reduce errors in a league seeking greater competitiveness.[58] His involvement was curtailed by the COVID-19 pandemic, with visa restrictions preventing a return for the 2020 season, leading to his effective retirement from active 11-a-side refereeing by July 2020.[59]Egyptian Premier League Stint
In August 2022, Mark Clattenburg was appointed by the Egyptian Football Association (EFA) as president of the newly formed Referees Committee, tasked with overseeing referee development and standards across Egyptian football, including the Egyptian Premier League.[60][61] The appointment, effective from 5 August 2022, aimed to address longstanding criticisms of refereeing quality in the league, where officials had faced accusations of incompetence and bias in high-stakes matches between rivals Al Ahly and Zamalek.[61] Clattenburg's role involved training programs, performance evaluations, and implementing VAR protocols to enhance decision-making consistency.[60] During his five-month tenure, Clattenburg introduced initiatives to professionalize refereeing, drawing on his Premier League experience, but encountered immediate resistance from club stakeholders.[62] Tensions escalated in January 2023 following Zamalek SC's elimination from the Egypt Cup, when club president Mortada Mansour publicly accused Clattenburg of corruption, favoritism toward Al Ahly, and personal misconduct, including unsubstantiated claims of a homosexual relationship—allegations that carried severe risks in Egypt's conservative social and legal context.[62][63] These claims, echoed by Zamalek supporters, led to widespread online threats and harassment targeting Clattenburg and his family.[64] On 24 January 2023, Clattenburg resigned abruptly, citing security concerns and refusing further communication with the EFA amid the escalating abuse.[62][61] He departed Egypt without notice, later describing the episode as involving baseless smears designed to undermine his authority, with no evidence presented to substantiate the corruption charges. The EFA accepted his resignation, appointing a replacement, but the incident highlighted entrenched factionalism in Egyptian football governance, where club presidents like Mansour wield significant influence and have histories of inflammatory rhetoric against officials.[62][63]Leisure Leagues and UK Return
In 2017, following his retirement from Premier League refereeing, Clattenburg was appointed as an ambassador and Head of Refereeing for Leisure Leagues, the world's largest organizer of 5- and 6-a-side amateur football leagues.[65] In this capacity, he officiated the final of the organization's 6-a-side World Cup in Lisbon, Portugal, and committed to supporting referee development and event participation globally.[65] His role involved promoting officiating standards in grassroots football, including guest appearances and training initiatives for amateur referees.[66] Clattenburg maintained his affiliation with Leisure Leagues through subsequent years, renewing his ambassadorship in early 2021 amid his overseas professional commitments.[67] He engaged in promotional activities, such as an undercover refereeing stint at a Warwick 6-a-side league event in November 2021, where he officiated matches incognito to surprise participants and highlight refereeing in small-sided formats.[68] These efforts underscored his focus on extending elite refereeing principles to recreational levels, with Leisure Leagues supplying officials for affiliated international competitions like the International Street Football body.[68] After resigning as head of Egypt's referees' committee in January 2023—prompted by security threats from Zamalek fans following unfounded accusations of homosexuality by club president Mortada Mansour—Clattenburg relocated back to the United Kingdom for safety and personal reasons.[62] [69] The episode, which involved reported attacks and required him to flee Cairo discreetly, marked the end of his brief five-month tenure in Egypt, where he had aimed to reform local officiating standards.[62] [70] Upon returning, Clattenburg paused high-profile roles to evaluate opportunities, leveraging his UK base to sustain domestic engagements like those with Leisure Leagues before pursuing further advisory positions in English football.[70]Nottingham Forest Analyst Position and Departure
In February 2024, Nottingham Forest appointed Mark Clattenburg as their first-ever referee analyst, a role aimed at scrutinizing match officials' decisions and providing strategic advice to manager Nuno Espírito Santo during the club's Premier League relegation fight.[2][71] Clattenburg, drawing on his experience as a former Premier League and UEFA Elite referee, was tasked with analyzing video footage of games to identify patterns in refereeing and VAR (Video Assistant Referee) applications, particularly in response to Forest's growing frustrations over perceived officiating errors.[72] This appointment followed high-profile disputes, including Forest's public criticism of VAR decisions in a 0-0 draw against Brighton & Hove Albion on 30 January 2024, where the club highlighted three denied penalty claims.[73] Clattenburg's tenure lasted less than three months, ending with his resignation on 3 May 2024, shortly after Forest's 0-1 defeat to Everton on 21 April 2024—a match in which the club alleged multiple incorrect VAR interventions that cost them penalties, prompting a club statement questioning the "integrity" of officials.[10][74] In his departure statement, Clattenburg acknowledged that his position had generated "unintended friction," becoming "more of a hindrance than a help" to the club amid external perceptions that it fueled complaints rather than aiding performance.[75] The move coincided with the Football Association charging Forest, Espírito Santo, and forward Moussa Niakhaté with misconduct over post-Everton comments implying referee bias, underscoring how Clattenburg's high-profile role amplified scrutiny on the club's officiating grievances.[74][76] In subsequent interviews, Clattenburg clarified that his advisory duties extended beyond analysis to consulting directly with owner Evangelos Marinakis on broader governance issues, rejecting portrayals of the role as mere "whinging" about referees.[77] By June 2024, he reflected that the position ultimately caused more reputational damage than benefit, attributing this to media narratives and opposition backlash that portrayed Forest as overly litigious, despite his intent to leverage refereeing expertise for competitive edge.[78][79] No financial details of his contract were disclosed, and Forest confirmed his exit as mutual, with the club expressing gratitude for his contributions during a challenging season.[10]Refereeing Statistics and Analysis
Overall Match Totals
Mark Clattenburg refereed a total of 611 matches across his career, accumulating 1,895 yellow cards, 45 second yellow cards, and 46 direct red cards.[23] This figure encompasses domestic leagues, cup competitions, European club events, and international fixtures from his debut in lower English divisions in 1999 through to his post-retirement assignments in China up to 2019. In elite domestic play, he officiated 297 Premier League matches between the 2004–05 and 2016–17 seasons, issuing 946 yellow cards, 25 second yellows, and 23 reds therein.[23][80] His European assignments included 28 UEFA Champions League games (128 yellows, no reds) and 17 Europa League matches (73 yellows, 2 reds), primarily from 2006 onward as a FIFA-listed referee.[23] Internationally, Clattenburg handled 4 UEFA Euro 2016 matches (22 yellows) and 24 other FIFA international fixtures (37 yellows), reflecting his selection for high-stakes events culminating in the Euro final.[23] Later, in the Chinese Super League (2018–19), he refereed 30 games with 97 yellows, 1 second yellow, and 7 reds.[23]| Competition | Matches | Yellow Cards | Second Yellows | Red Cards |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Premier League | 297 | 946 | 25 | 23 |
| UEFA Champions League | 28 | 128 | 2 | 0 |
| UEFA Europa League | 17 | 73 | 2 | 2 |
| UEFA Euro | 4 | 22 | 0 | 0 |
| FIFA Internationals | 24 | 37 | 0 | 0 |
| Chinese Super League | 30 | 97 | 1 | 7 |