Clattenburg quits to take Saudi cash
MARK CLATTENBURG has quit the Premier League for a moneyspinning move to Saudi Arabia.
Sportsmail revealed on Tuesday that England’s top referee was considering his future and there were fears at Professional Game Match Officials Limited of an imminent resignation. It was confirmed yesterday that Clattenburg will be released from his contract to become Saudi Arabia’s new head of referees. He currently earns £100,000 a year and it is reported he could earn £1million a year in Saudi Arabia.
Sportsmail understands that the 41-year-old was disillusioned with refereeing politics and felt he received a lack of support from referees’ chief Mike Riley. He was annoyed at being overlooked for the FA Cup final until last season, despite refereeing in the top flight since 2004. Clattenburg — who took charge of both the Champions League and Euro 2016 finals last year — was unveiled in Saudi Arabia yesterday and said: ‘I bring a wealth of knowledge and a passion for improving refereeing. I’m humbled by this opportunity.’
MArK Clattenburg has given up on his dream of refereeing the World Cup Final after becoming disillusioned with life in the Premier League — and tempted by the riches of the Middle east.
He was already on UEFA’s preselected list for russia 2018 and it is thought he was a strong favourite to land the final, especially after taking charge of last year’s Champions League and euro 2016 finals.
The County Durham- born official could yet use the influence of his friend Pierluigi Collina — the former italian referee who holds positions with both UEFA and FIFA — to safeguard his involvement next summer, but that looks unlikely.
Sources say the move to Saudi Arabia offers financial security — his wages will rocket from his current £100,000 a year — and provides an escape route from the politics of the Professional game Match officials Limited.
Clattenburg decided before Christmas that he wanted to go and talk was soon rife that he was set to quit. But the timing of his appointment as Saudi Arabia’s head of referees has stunned colleagues, most of whom hold the 41-year-old in high regard.
His departure robs the Premier League of its best referee just when the standard of officiating is again being questioned and it is possible he will try to persuade others to follow him.
The PGMOL tried to sound positive, saying: ‘This is an exciting opportunity for Mark as well as further underlining what high esteem english match officials are held throughout the world.
‘Mark has been a great asset to the english game and hopefully an inspiration to those who want to get into refereeing at the grass roots of the game.’
Clattenburg, though, felt as if the governing body did not give him the respect he deserved and has long been on a collision course with the hierarchy. He was cleared of racially abusing Chelsea’s Jon obi Mikel in 2012 but felt a lack of support from the PGMOL.
He also fell out with them over his decision to drive from a game in London to an ed Sheeran concert in Newcastle in 2014.
His last match in england was Arsenal’s 2-0 win over Hull at the emirates Stadium last Saturday, after which he apologised to visiting players for failing to spot Alexis Sanchez’s handball goal.