Clattenburg is off

[oxford drinker]

Shame, I thought he was one of the better refs. Not just players lured elsewhere by money

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/38993655

[Sparkyhd]

It's not about the money. It's the integrity of the game.

[Ascayman]

got some ridiculous plaudits.

Everything that's wrong with modern day refs. Wasn't even very good.

[Fastchas]

Watching games as a neutral, I always thought he was one of the better referees. But being on the end of a decision, it's easy to see why folk didn't like him.
Remember the game, Man U v Spurs, around 2010/11? Was it involving the keeper/defence not playing to the whistle and Man U scoring against them. All the Spurs fans went mad, thought the goal should be disallowed. I remember the Man U player looking at Clattenburg for permission to play the ball, which he just nodded. I think the Spurs players were expecting a free kick from the Linesman which Clat's overuled. Or something.

[hornetrider]

Ascayman said:

got some ridiculous plaudits.

Everything that's wrong with modern day refs. Wasn't even very good.

King of the non decision.

[Einion Yrth]

I was never a fan, but I thought he was useless rather than bought or particularly biased; I wish him well in his new job.

[TwigtheWonderkid]

Einion Yrth said:

I was never a fan, but I thought he was useless rather than bought or particularly biased; I wish him well in his new job.

Both my sons are refs and are quite laid back about those on the touchline and players thinking they are incompetent. That's a valid opinion to hold.

They do get annoyed at being called a cheat, which happens more or less weekly. They aren't, they couldn't give two hoots who wins and have never taken or been offered a backhander to influence a game.

[anonymous-user]

An odious individual to those that have met him - he certainly won't be missed, as he wasn't a very good ref at all. 'It's all about him' sums him up - thinks he's a celeb.

And how quickly people forget his sacking/appeal/8 month suspension for dubious practices back in '09.

[hornetrider]

Mind you, you can't blame him can you from a career type perspective. How much are refs paid? I can only imagine how many multiples of that he's on now, a few years over there and he'll be set for life. In fact, he can probably move up the echelons of the game into FIFA with a bit of cultural/international experience under his belt. Kerching!

[anonymous-user]

In the UK, they get £42k basic, plus a match by match fee - so he should be able to make £80 or £90K or so per year. Salary over there reported to be £500k+, and likely tax-free too.

[hornetrider]

Yep Saudi is tax free.

500k confirmed.

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2017/feb/20/m...