Premier League Referee Quits To Join The Middle East League
Reuters / Andrew Boyers
Premier League’s veteran official, Mark Clattenburg, has called it quit in England and will be departing to Saudi Arabia for a new role, as per the reports from Telegraph.
The 41-year-old official, who was in charge of the Euro 2016 final, admitted back in December that he would consider making a move to Chinese Super if an offer comes. He was quoted by the Telegraph as saying:
“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. How long can I last as a referee? I have been in the Premier League 12 years. It’s been a wonderful 12 years.
“There is no offer on the table but if they made an offer it would be under consideration. But at the moment I still enjoy working for the Premier League and UEFA.”
Premier League match official Mark Clattenburg named Best Referee of the Year at the Globe Soccer Awards: https://t.co/mJJ42HBUxb pic.twitter.com/RwivEzI7zI
— Premier League Communications (@PLComms) December 28, 2016
And now, the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGGMOL) has announced that the highly rated official has moved to the Saudi Arabian Football Federation. The statement read:
“The PGMOL would like to wish Mark Clattenburg well as he prepares for his move to the Saudi Arabian Football Federation.”
“Since joining the PGMO Select Group in 204, Mark developed into one of our top officials, refereeing at the highest level and setting standards for others to follow.
المؤتمر الصحفي لسعادة رئيس #الاتحاد_السعودي_لكرة_القدم الأستاذ عادل بن محمد عزت https://t.co/mISNmXEsVI
— الاتحاد السعودي لكرة القدم (@saudiFF) February 16, 2017
“Mark is a talented referee, he 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.
“We understand this is an exciting opportunity for Mark as well as further underlining what high esteem English match officials are held throughout the world game.”
The last game the Consett-born official refereed was the Arsenal‘s clash against Hull City at the Emirates stadium and the 41-year-old did make a blunder as he allowed Alexis Sanchez’s first goal of the game which was scored with his hand and that set the tempo for the Gunners.
Arsenal won the game eventually by two goals to nil.