Clattenburg suspended over debts

Mitch Connor

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/7546968.stm

Referee Mark Clattenburg has been suspended pending enquiries into reports regarding his alleged debts.

The Football Association and referees' body Professional Game Match Officials Ltd acted after allegations relating to debts of companies connected to him.

Clattenburg was set to take charge of the FA Community Shield clash between Manchester United and Portsmouth.

But the County Durham official has been replaced for Sunday's curtain-raiser to the new season by Peter Walton.

A joint statement from the FA and PGMO read: "PGMO is aware of media reports concerning alleged debts incurred by companies connected to referee Mark Clattenburg.

"It has been decided he will not officiate any matches pending enquiries into the background to these reports.

"The FA has also decided to appoint Peter Walton as referee for Sunday's FA Community Shield between Manchester United and Portsmouth in place of Mark Clattenburg."

A PGMO spokesman added: "It is in the best interests of Mark Clattenburg and the game that these reports are fully investigated and, during that time, he will not referee any matches.

"Mark Clattenburg is one of England's leading referees and we hope to resolve this matter swiftly."

Earlier this week, the Newcastle Chronicle reported that Clattenburg's company MC Electrical Retail NE Ltd has been wound up by Newcastle County Court over a £59,589 debt.

Can someone explain why financial debts of a company he his connected to mean he should be suspending from being a match official? Is there a fear he would be more likely to accept a bribe in these financial circumstances?

DSB

Tauren wrote: »

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/7546968.stm



Can someone explain why financial debts of a company he his connected to mean he should be suspending from being a match official? Is there a fear he would be more likely to accept a bribe in these financial circumstances?

That probably is the reason actually.

Mr Alan

I'm sure Gerrard will be disapointed bluenoses will be ecstatic though!

The Everlasting

Hopefully Mark Halsey and Andy D'urso are next, the tw*ts

yom 1

Tauren wrote: »

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/7546968.stm



Can someone explain why financial debts of a company he his connected to mean he should be suspending from being a match official? Is there a fear he would be more likely to accept a bribe in these financial circumstances?

I'd say its a mixture of that and the possibility of a media frenzy if he made a very dodgy call for a peno in the last minute of a game. There would be shenanigans called from every "pundit" going.

I think its very harsh though. His business life has nothing to do with him being a referee imo.

Dave!

Tauren wrote: »

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/7546968.stm



Can someone explain why financial debts of a company he his connected to mean he should be suspending from being a match official? Is there a fear he would be more likely to accept a bribe in these financial circumstances?

I suspect so. Isn't that the reason why TD's aren't allowed to be in debt too? Can't remember her name, but there was a big fuss about some female Fianna Fáiler recently regarding that...

yahoo_moe

Bit miffed about that one myself.

Pretty unfair to my mind if it's because of a perceived bribe risk - we've no idea how much debt any other ref might be in privately but Clattenburg gets suspended because his debts are a matter of public record? Harsh if so.

Peyton Manning

Im sure theres some way we can tie Steve Bennet to all of this...

Reganio 2

One of the best ref's in the Prem, such a shame. I think he had about 3 games where he went mad after the Liverpool game but consistent and dosn't fling the yellow card around like most of the others, prefers to have a chat and calm things that way.

Unlike Steve Bennet.