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I was accused of match-fixing out of envy

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I was accused of match-fixing out of envy

Former Premier League referee Mark Clattenburg (46) has described deep abysses within the referee scene. In an interview with The Athletic the Englishman told of quarrels and a serious accusation.

“It’s strange to be a referee. We are largely unknown to the outside world and are plagued internally by quarrels and bitches,” said Clattenburg, who led games in the highest English league between 2004 and 2017.

“I would say that I am one of the good guys, the normal ones,” he said. Half of the referees in his time were “a bunch of crazy people”.

A colleague who was not named by Clattenburg is said to have even accused him of match-fixing out of envy. According to Clattenburg, “because I had just bought an Audi R8 sports car”.

In the summer of 2008, Clattenburg was initially suspended by the FA. After several rounds of hearings, he was allowed to whistle again in February 2009. “Angry doesn’t even begin to describe how I felt,” he said of the allegations against him. Clattenburg was said to have dubious contacts with certain companies.

“I was asked to explain why I met a certain person in Dubai. This guy was a ‘fixer’, but not a damn match-fixer! He could get you discounts on water parks and restaurants,” Clattenburg said. “It was ridiculous what they accused me of.”

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