Ex-EPL referee Mark Clattenburg admits taking 'goodies' from clubs and was 'offered a female'
Mark Clattenburg has shed light on the astonishing behind-the-scenes attempts by certain clubs to butter him up during his time as an elite football referee across the Premier League and European competitions
Former Premier League referee Mark Clattenburg has admitted he received “goodies” from top football clubs and was even “offered a female”. Clattenburg officiated some of the most high-profile games in world football between 2006 and 2017.
The 50-year-old officiated 297 Premier League matches before his retirement. He also took charge of prestigious occasions such as the 2016 Champions League final and the Euro 2016 final.
During the peak of his career, the Durham-born referee would travel across Europe for games at a wide range of different stadiums, including some of the biggest and most historic clubs on the continent.
Clattenburg has now revealed in an interview with Undr The Cosh that some of those teams subtly attempted to gain favourable decisions by handing him flattering gifts whenever he visited their stadiums - which he accepted within the legal limits.
He explained: “From a club’s perspective, you can’t pay them [referees], you can’t influence them, the only thing you can do is reverse psychology. I remember Barcelona, for example, after the match in your dressing room there was always a little tablet waiting for you, some shirts and little things.
“Bayern Munich would give you a Montblanc pen and bits of goodies. So certain clubs used to give you goodies and, in your head… it’s peanuts. You were allowed to take it because it was under a certain value but it subconsciously played into my head.”
Clattenburg added: “I remember going away in my first few times as a fourth official, we weren’t paid a salary abroad. They would take you to a suit shop. Because they didn’t pay you but they wanted you to feel special and give you everything they had.
“Later, when we were paid a salary, UEFA didn’t want you to be influenced or other clubs to feel that the home side was getting an advantage. For example, Real Madrid used to get you the best hotel. I used to get the f***ing best room ever.”
When asked if any clubs ever overstepped the mark by resorting to bribing, Clattenburg revealed an incident where he was offered female company, which he turned down.
He recalled: “I had a situation in Azerbaijan, they offered me a female after the match and it was like crazy, man.” Asked if he reported it, Clattenburg replied: “I just laughed it off. I didn’t know if it was a joke or whatever. I just said, ‘Nah, nah. I’m okay thanks,’ and left it at that.”
Clattenburg also discussed how some players and managers, such as the late Gary Speed and Alex Ferguson, used psychological tactics on him to their benefit. In contrast, he admitted Craig Bellamy, who regularly caused the official “problems” with his behaviour on the pitch, was less likely to receive favourable decisions.
Following his retirement, Clattenburg was controversially appointed as Nottingham Forest’s referee analyst in early 2024 and left the role three months later. He is now the lead ref on the BBC revival of TV show Gladiators.
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