The Godfather 71,478 Posted February 16, 2017 Share Posted February 16, 2017 Mark Clattenburg is to quit his job as a Premier League referee to take up a position in Saudi Arabia. The 41-year-old is widely considered to be one of the best referees in football, and he took charge of the Euro 2016 final, the Champions League final and the FA Cup final last season. In December, Clattenburg said he would consider officiating in China. He is expected to leave his role before the next round of Premier League fixtures which starts on 25 February. The referee body, Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) said he had been "a great asset" and "an inspiration to those who want to get into refereeing". Its statement added: "We understand this is an exciting opportunity for Mark, and it further underlines the high esteem for English match officials throughout the world game." Clattenburg took charge of his first Football League game as a 25-year-old in 2000. Four years later, he was promoted to the Premier League's Select Group. Unusually for a match official, public attention has often been drawn to his life off the pitch. In 2008, Clattenburg was suspended following an investigation into allegations he owed £60,000 as a result of a failed business venture, and he later had his elite referee status revoked. But at an appeal in February 2009, his punishment was reduced to an eight-month suspension, backdated to August 2008. In October 2014, he was dropped from officiating for two breaches of protocol - speaking on the phone with then-Crystal Palace boss Neil Warnock, before leaving a ground alone to drive to an Ed Sheeran concert. PGMOL says officials must travel to and from the ground together for integrity and security. And last summer he got two tattoos to commemorate refereeing the Euro 2016 and Champions League finals, and the Guardian reported he had a car with the registration plate: 'C19TTS'. In an interview with Associated Press in December, he said he did not understand why "people see [the tattoos] as a negative thing", adding: "I'm proud of what I've done." Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Godfather 71,478 Posted February 16, 2017 Author Share Posted February 16, 2017 Guys an utter wank stain. CL and EURO tattoos, Hair replacement rug on his napper and now this. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Captain Hilts 12,819 Posted February 16, 2017 Share Posted February 16, 2017 What's the point in bringing in a ref from another country that presumably can't speak the lingo? Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimfanciesthedude 24,448 Posted February 16, 2017 Share Posted February 16, 2017 1 hour ago, Captain Hilts said: What's the point in bringing in a ref from another country that presumably can't speak the lingo? It obviously works given refs from other countries do European games etc Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
King Jela 20,338 Posted February 16, 2017 Share Posted February 16, 2017 Brilliant. Guy's a wank. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moody Blue Legend 61,339 Posted February 16, 2017 Share Posted February 16, 2017 4 hours ago, The Godfather said: Guys an utter wank stain. CL and EURO tattoos, Hair replacement rug on his napper and now this. Me me me me me me.........he's a bawbag. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Godfather 71,478 Posted February 16, 2017 Author Share Posted February 16, 2017 41 minutes ago, Moody Blue Legend said: Me me me me me me.........he's a bawbag. His licence plate Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
simplythebest 11,453 Posted February 16, 2017 Share Posted February 16, 2017 Pound signs ahead Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
JamieD 18,874 Posted February 16, 2017 Share Posted February 16, 2017 Imagine if he gets the jail for listening to Ed Sheeran in public. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluedylan 11,555 Posted February 16, 2017 Share Posted February 16, 2017 37 minutes ago, JamieD said: Imagine if he gets the jail for listening to Ed Sheeran in public. you should get the jail for listening to Ed Sheeran in the privacy of your home Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
JamieD 18,874 Posted February 16, 2017 Share Posted February 16, 2017 Just now, bluedylan said: you should get the jail for listening to Ed Sheeran in the privacy of your home Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluedylan 11,555 Posted February 16, 2017 Share Posted February 16, 2017 1 minute ago, JamieD said: David Icke might be unto something Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
TEFTONG 60,060 Posted February 16, 2017 Share Posted February 16, 2017 He learned how to be the centre of attention from the Master of self importance Howard Webb..Good riddance to the smug incompetent twat Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dummiesoot 15,986 Posted February 17, 2017 Share Posted February 17, 2017 8 hours ago, bluedylan said: David Icke might be unto something The younger readers won't have a fucking clue what you are on about! Well spotted though. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RFC Eagle 4,888 Posted February 17, 2017 Share Posted February 17, 2017 9 hours ago, TEFTONG said: He learned how to be the centre of attention from the Master of self importance Howard Webb..Good riddance to the smug incompetent twat Interestingly its Howard Webb that he's replacing in Saudi. I always thought Webb was the better of the two. I'd put Clattenburg in the Graham Poll category, I imagine he isn't to popular amongst his peers. I know at least one current EFL referee who couldn't abide Poll. It would be better if refs were held accountable for decisions and were given the opportunity to explain their actions a couple of days after the game. As they are professionals they should be able to give an account of themselves. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
scottyscott1963 18,192 Posted February 17, 2017 Share Posted February 17, 2017 13 hours ago, The Godfather said: His licence plate A private reg that only he knows what it's about 'C19TTS'. There's a screw loose or he's on gear for sure. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Godfather 71,478 Posted February 17, 2017 Author Share Posted February 17, 2017 Just now, scottyscott1963 said: A private reg that only he knows what it's about 'C19TTS'. There's a screw loose or he's on gear for sure. Yeah Clatts, a baldy 42 year old calling himself 'Clatts' Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
scottyscott1963 18,192 Posted February 17, 2017 Share Posted February 17, 2017 6 minutes ago, The Godfather said: Yeah Clatts, a baldy 42 year old calling himself 'Clatts' Cheers mate. Never got the 'clatts'. Had clotts and clutts but never gave that a thought. Midlife crisis Hope some cunt ripped him off a few grand for it. It looks like one you get in the Saturday Express for tree fiddy Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Godfather 71,478 Posted February 17, 2017 Author Share Posted February 17, 2017 Moneys no issue for the vainest man in refereeing! He already spends £600 a month on a hair piece. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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