Clattenburg to referee in China League

MARK CLATTENBURG will return to full-time refereeing in the Chinese Super League this week, The Mail on Sunday can reveal.

The English official has finished a two-year stay as director of refereeing in Saudi Arabia and has accepted an offer from the Chinese Football Association.

From Friday, he will be one of five professional referees in the CSL, including Serbian Milorad Mazic.

We understand the move could open doors for more foreign officials to take charge of matches in domestic competitions outside their own country.

Clattenburg will join former Premier League players Oscar, Marouane Fellaini, Mousa Dembele and Ramires in the fast-emerging Chinese top flight.

The 43-year-old presided over both the Champions League and European Championship finals in 2016. He was the Premier League’s top referee when he quit two years ago and moved to Riyadh.

He told The Mail on Sunday: ‘I’m excited by the new challenge. The Chinese Super League has grown markedly in recent years and they want the standard of refereeing to grow with it. I’m looking forward to being part of that.

‘You look at the quality of the players – so many in the peak of their career – and it is clear to see the ambition of the league and the clubs within it.’