34 Facts About Mark Clattenburg

Mark Clattenburg was born on 13 March 1975 and is an English former professional football referee.

Mark Clattenburg has refereed a number of notable matches, including the 2016 UEFA Champions League final and the UEFA Euro 2016 final.

Mark Clattenburg is considered one of the most highly-rated European referees of his generation.

Mark Clattenburg is the lead referee in the BBC 2024 revival of TV show Gladiators.

Mark Clattenburg became both a Football Conference referee and a Football League assistant referee in the year 1999, but was rapidly promoted to the National List of Football League referees in the year 2000.

Mark Clattenburg became a FIFA referee in 2006, at the age of 30, two years after turning professional.

Mark Clattenburg refereed Alan Shearer's testimonial match on 11 May 2006; he is a Newcastle United fan, and therefore does not referee competitive games involving Newcastle.

However, Mark Clattenburg was later suspended from refereeing, pending an investigation into alleged debts incurred by companies to which he was connected.

Mark Clattenburg denied all the allegations and appealed against the decision.

Mark Clattenburg was involved in a FIFA World Cup as a fourth official for a 2010 tournament UEFA qualifying group 4 match between Azerbaijan and Russia in Baku on 14 October 2009.

Mark Clattenburg was appointed to referee the 2012 Football League Cup Final between Liverpool and Cardiff City at Wembley Stadium on 26 February 2012.

Mark Clattenburg booked three players during the game and was rarely required to interpret any contentious moments.

Mark Clattenburg officiated at UEFA Euro 2012 as an additional assistant referee in a team led by Howard Webb.

Mark Clattenburg was selected as one of the referees for the men's football tournament of the 2012 Olympic Games.

Mark Clattenburg officiated a group stage match between Egypt and New Zealand at Old Trafford, a quarter-final between Senegal and Mexico and the gold medal match between Brazil and Mexico, both at Wembley Stadium.

Mark Clattenburg refereed a Champions League quarter-final first leg on 2 April 2013 between Bayern Munich and Juventus after which former Bayern player Paul Breitner praised the official for letting the game flow.

Mark Clattenburg returned to duty as the fourth official for a fixture between Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham United on 25 November and refereed Norwich City's Premier League game at Southampton for his full return to the middle on 28 November 2012.

Mark Clattenburg refereed the 2013 FA Community Shield between Wigan Athletic and Manchester United at Wembley Stadium on 11 August 2013.

In October 2014 Mark Clattenburg was stood down for one weekend following a Crystal Palace game for phoning manager Neil Warnock and for travelling from the fixture alone.

Mark Clattenburg's reasoning was that of attending an Ed Sheeran gig later in the day.

Mark Clattenburg refereed the 2016 FA Cup Final, contested by Crystal Palace and Manchester United.

Late in a group match between the Czech Republic and Croatia in Saint-Etienne, Croatian hooligans threw flares onto the pitch and Mark Clattenburg suspended the match for several minutes, moving the players away from the burning flares to avoid injury.

On 16 February 2017, the PGMOL announced that Mark Clattenburg had left his position as a Premier League referee for a role with the Saudi Arabian Football Federation, replacing Howard Webb as the country's Head of Refereeing.

On 23 February 2019, it was announced that Mark Clattenburg had been hired by CFA to become one of the professional referees in China.

In 2017, Mark Clattenburg was announced as an Ambassador for Leisure Leagues agreeing to become their Head Referee as part of this, he was a guest of honour at the formation of the International Socca Federation in Birmingham UK, refereeing the final of the 6 a side World Cup in 2019 as Germany beat Poland.

Mark Clattenburg was there in 2019, as the World Cup went to Crete, refereeing with fellow former Premier League referee Bobby Madley.

In February 2024, Mark Clattenburg was appointed by Nottingham Forest as the club's referee analyst.

Mark Clattenburg refereed 297 Premier League matches, 37 in the FA Cup, 28 in the Champions League, 21 in the EFL Cup, 4 in European Championships, and 3 at the Olympics.

Mark Clattenburg joined the ESPN commentary team for Euro 2020 as their officiating and VAR expert.

Mark Clattenburg expanded his role with ESPN to work MLS and USMNT games.

Mark Clattenburg refereed the 2022,2023, and 2025 Sidemen Charity Matches and several Soccer Aid matches for charity.

Mark Clattenburg is the lead referee in the BBC 2024 revival of TV show Gladiators.

Mark Clattenburg went to Cramlington Community High School and was chosen to play football for them, as well as South Northumberland.

Mark Clattenburg is divorced from his wife with whom he lived in Chester-le-Street; they had one son during their marriage.