Clattenburg has long been regarded as one of Europe’s top officials,
highlighted by the fact he took charge of last season’s Champions League
final as well as Portugal’s defeat of France in the final of Euro 2016.
The 41-year-old turned his back on the Premier League this week, however, and confirmed he was due to take up lucrative position as head of referees in Western Asia.
But Hackett believes an incident which occurred back in 2012 played a part in Clattenburg’s thinking. The referee was accused of calling Mata, then a Chelsea player, a ‘Spanish t***’ and of making a racist comment towards John Obi Mikel during a heated Premier League clash, during which he sent off two players.
The west London club ultimately dropped their complaints, and while the Football Association found no evidence to suggest Clattenburg was guilty of any wrongdoing, Hackett believes the lack of support he receivedin the immediate aftermath of the controversy has long played on his mind.
‘It’s bad news for English refereeing. The Premier League has lost the world’s best ref – it’s a massive blow,’ he told the Daily Star.
The 41-year-old turned his back on the Premier League this week, however, and confirmed he was due to take up lucrative position as head of referees in Western Asia.
But Hackett believes an incident which occurred back in 2012 played a part in Clattenburg’s thinking. The referee was accused of calling Mata, then a Chelsea player, a ‘Spanish t***’ and of making a racist comment towards John Obi Mikel during a heated Premier League clash, during which he sent off two players.
The west London club ultimately dropped their complaints, and while the Football Association found no evidence to suggest Clattenburg was guilty of any wrongdoing, Hackett believes the lack of support he receivedin the immediate aftermath of the controversy has long played on his mind.
‘It’s bad news for English refereeing. The Premier League has lost the world’s best ref – it’s a massive blow,’ he 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.’
‘Mark felt after the Mata incident no-one supported him. He was left high and dry.’
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