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BREAKING: Mark Clattenburg To Return To Premier League

BREAKING: Mark Clattenburg To Return To Premier League

Well, that lasted long...

Josh Lawless

Josh Lawless

Mark Clattenburg is set to make a surprise u-turn and continue refereeing in the Premier League.

Journalist Neil Ashton says that the 41-year old, who was to take up a role as head of referees in Saudi Arabia, has had a change of heart after speaking with PGMOL chief Mike Riley

It was confirmed last week that referee Mark Clattenburg had quit the Premier League, feeling that he and his colleagues were suffering from a lack of support from those high up in the Professional Game Match Officials Limited.

Clattenburg was said to have been unhappy with the way things are being run and reportedly told the referee's governing body his decision to finish up refereeing in the top flight before Christmas and asked for his contract to be terminated.

While most are of the belief that money is the only reason that Clattenburg has left the Premier League former referee chief Keith Hackett revealed how an incident involving then Chelsea player Juan Mata in 2012 was partially to blame.

During a Chelsea game the referee was alleged to have used racist language towards Mata and Jon Obi Mikel and despite 'Clatts' being cleared, Hackett told the Daily Star:

"I think it's down to poor management. There were incidents when the PGMOL haven't supported or clarified decisions when they've needed to.

"Mark felt after the Mata incident no-one supported him. He was left high and dry."

Clattenburg stayed on for a bit longer after informing PGMOL of his decision before Christmas, because 12 months notice must be provided and his request was therefore rejected.

But the 41-year old was set to move onto a new challenge in the form of a role in Saudi Arabia, where he was expected to take on the position of head of referees for the football federation over there.

He even got his own press conference.

The Sun reported that as part of his deal as head honcho of officiating in Saudi Arabia, Clattenburg will earn £500,000 tax free every year - double what he was earning as a referee in England.

However, recent reports indicate that he has reversed his decision and he will continue to officiate games in England.

It's worth noting that it's only for the timebeing though, as the move to Saudi Arabia is still on the cards but not imminently. As per Neil Ashton of The Sun, Clattenburg will take charge of at least four more Premier League games this season before he jets off to the Middle East.

Clattenburg, who refereed the FA Cup, Champions League and Euro 2016 finals last season, is still under contract with PGMOL and a talk with Mike Riley has apparently led to him staying on for the rest of the campaign.

A source told The Sun:

"He will still be going to Saudi Arabia but we will see him again, at least three or four more times in the Premier League.

"In his mind, he had refereed his last game but after constructive talks he has agreed to see out the remainder of his contact.

"Mark Clattenburg is seen by many as the best ref in England so it makes sense for Mike Riley to use him as much as possible before the summer."

It's now been confirmed that Clattenburg will take charge of West Brom vs Bournemouth next weekend, in what will be his return to refereeing.

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