Referee Mark Clattenburg to quit Premier League for job in Saudi Arabia
Arsenal’s victory over Hull City last weekend appears to have been Mark Clattenburg’s last match as a Premier League official.
Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) released a statement Thursday confirming that Clattenburg is leaving his role to take up a position with the Saudi Arabian Football Federation.
“The PGMOL would like to wish Mark Clattenburg well as he prepares for his move to the Saudi Arabaian Football Federation,” the statement read.
“… We understand this is an exciting opportunity for Mark as well as further underlining what high esteem English match officials are held (in) throughout the world game.”
The statement did not specify a date for Clattenburg’s departure, but the Press Association suggests he will leave before Premier League matches resume Feb. 25.
It remains unclear if Clattenburg will continue to officiate football matches in his new job, or if he’ll take up a role similar to the one former Premier League official Howard Webb accepted in 2015 when he became the head of refereeing for the Saudi Arabian league.
Clattenburg, who officiated the 2016 European Championship final in France as well as the Champions League final in Milan, Italy, had previously expressed a desire to work abroad. He said he was intrigued by the thought of plying his trade in China after being linked with a move to the high-spending Chinese Super League.
“If an opportunity came along – I am contracted to the Premier League – but I have to look at my long-term strategy of my career,” Clattenburg told Rob Harris of the Associated Press in December. How long can I last as a referee? I have been in the Premier League 12 years. It’s been a wonderful 12 years.”
His last match, however, was far from wonderful – the English referee missed a blatant handball committed by Alexis Sanchez before the Arsenal star scored the go-ahead goal. According to Hull players and coaches, Clattenburg apologised for the mistake at halftime as Arsenal went on to claim a 2-0 win.
(Photo courtesy: Action Images)
