Mark Clattenburg hits out at claims he tried to help Leicester City win Premier League title
Former referee Mark Clattenburg has fired back at allegations made by ex- Leicester City defender Danny Simpson that the official attempted to assist the Foxes in securing the Premier League trophy. Leicester shocked the world in 2016 when they achieved the impossible by claiming the title.
But Simpson, the former City right-back, previously suggested that Clattenburg – who has been happy to discuss tales from his time in the game of late – chose not to dismiss a Leicester player during a crucial match.
Simpson also claimed that Clattenburg, 50, told him directly that he was rooting for Leicester to lift the trophy. Appearing on the Undr The Cosh podcast, the former official vehemently denied Simpson's accusations and provided his version of events.
"You had Danny Simpson on this podcast didn't you," Clattenburg began. "And I'd like to address it as I wasn't happy, because Danny made a comment, and you can say it in humour, but say it in humour.
"You know, because I've met Danny many times, in Dubai for example at the horse racing, at the Dubai World Cup, and we've had a beer, we've had a laugh and when things cross a line... I think every football fan in the world wanted Leicester to win the title. As a human being, the romance of Leicester winning the title was amazing – as a human being, not as a referee.
"But actually saying I was going to caution Danny Drinkwater, who I hadn't even cautioned earlier in the game, was like, crazy, do you know what I mean? Because if he's factually correct in that I had cautioned Danny Drinkwater and I gave him a second chance, and I hadn't sent him off, then fair enough you can make that argument."
He added: "But I hadn't. I'd only cautioned two Leicester players that whole season because I found the Leicester boys really good crack, and because they were good guys, they probably got away with a bit because of the fine margins. Do you know what I mean?
"But I never went around and said, 'I'm not cautioning you because I need you to win the title,' because I lose respect. If you deserve a second yellow, you go."
During Leicester's title-winning campaign, Clattenburg officiated four of their matches but didn't issue a booking to Drinkwater. His sole booking was for Robert Huth in an April 2016 clash with Swansea, reports Leicestershire Live.
Simpson hasn't specified which match Clattenburg allegedly refrained from giving Drinkwater a second yellow card, but in March 2023, he said: "I remember Clattenburg, mate. I think he should have sent someone off and he said something like, 'I should have sent you off there but I want yous to win it.'
"It was mad. I swear to God. It's a good job there was no VAR. I had to pretend I didn't hear it. I was laughing my b******s off inside and I thought, 'Yeah, we're doing this.'
"I think it was Drinky, actually. It was his second yellow or something and he could've easily sent him off but he didn't."
Following Simpson's remarks, Clattenburg strongly rejected the accusations. Describing them as "ridiculous", he told The Daily Mail: "I fully deny the allegations made by Danny Simpson. I find them preposterous. They are very serious and could question my integrity." He also warned of potential legal proceedings.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Sun
4 minutes ago
- The Sun
Man Utd vs Everton LIVE RESULT: Red Devils crowned Premier League Summer Series champions as Mbeumo makes debut
MANCHESTER UNITED have won the Premier League Summer Series! The Red Devils closed out their tour of the United States with a 2-2 draw with Everton - which saw Bryan Mbeumo get his first minutes in the iconic red shirt. Man Utd took the lead on 19 minutes after Bruno Fernandes slotted his penalty past Jordan Pickford. Moments before half-time, Iliman Ndiaye levelled the clash, getting on the end of a superb cross from Idrissa Gueye. After 69 minutes, Mason Mount put the Red Devils 2-1 up with a stunning curled finish. Moments later, Everton were back level after a crazy own-goal saw Amad Diallo's clearance deflect off Ayden Heaven and into the back of the net. Ruben Amorim's side couldn't end their Premier League Summer Series campaign with a 100 per cent record, but they will take the trophy back to Manchester. 6 minutes ago By Kieran Davies Man Utd 2-2 Everton 88. Mount plays a well-weighted pass into the path of Dorgu. He looks to get a shot away but his scuffed effort is well saved by Pickford. Hojlund kicks the post in anger, feeling he should have squared it to him. 8 minutes ago By Kieran Davies Man Utd 2-2 Everton 86. Aznou looks to drill a low cross in. It is deflected behind for a corner. As the cross comes in, Bayindir collects and falls on top of the ball. 10 minutes ago By Kieran Davies Man Utd 2-2 Everton 84. Almost another chance for The Toffees. Barry's first touch was poor and he invited the challenge from Maguire. The defender took both player and ball as he hoofed it into the stands. 11 minutes ago By Kieran Davies Man Utd 2-2 Everton 82. Moyes looks set to rotate his side some more. With the lack of depth to their squad, it makes sense giving the youngsters a run out to see if any of them are up to first-team duties this season. Dalot looks to make a run forward but Mykolenko reads it well to clear at the expense of a throw-in. 13 minutes ago By Kieran Davies Man Utd 2-2 Everton 80. The Toffees look keen to get a winner here. Barry is back on the field after receiving some treatment. We have another stoppage after two Everton players collide going for the same ball. 15 minutes ago By Kieran Davies Man Utd 2-2 Everton 78. Barry goes down in a heap on the floor. The referee waves play on, not feeling it was a foul by Heaven. Watching the replay, it seems the Man Utd youngster got away with one there. 25 minutes ago By Kieran Davies Man Utd 1-1 Everton 68. The Everton press is working well. As soon as a ball is played into anyone in the attacking third, they immediately have a player bearing down on them. The Red Devils recycle it well and come forward once again. 27 minutes ago By Kieran Davies Man Utd 1-1 Everton 66. Heaven is down receiving some treatment. He was caught by a stray arm from Barry. It gives the players a chance to have a little breather. 28 minutes ago By Kieran Davies Man Utd 1-1 Everton 64. Moyes does not look happy on the bench. He seems to be moaning to his coaches about some part of their play. The Scot is looking very animated despite it only being a pre-season friendly. 31 minutes ago By Kieran Davies Man Utd 1-1 Everton 62. It looks as though Moyes is switching to a back five. Looking to get full-backs down the flanks to support attacks. Man Utd come forward but the deliveries into the box are poor, they have no one who can dominate aerially to win it. 33 minutes ago By Kieran Davies Man Utd 1-1 Everton 60. Everton make a host of changes themselves. The most notable is McNeil who can create some chances. Tarkowski, Beto, Gueye and Alcaraz make way. 35 minutes ago By Kieran Davies Man Utd 1-1 Everton 58. What a wasted chance for The Toffees Beto and Alcaraz get in each other's way when one of them should have been pulling the trigger. That should have been a second goal for Moyes' side. 37 minutes ago By Kieran Davies Man Utd 1-1 Everton 56. Cunha gets to the byline and cuts it back into the middle. It strikes Garner's arm on the floor but the referee waves away claims for another penalty. The corner comes in and Amad's touch takes it out for a goal kick. Heaven, Mount and Maguire come on for Man Utd. They replace Shaw, Yoro and Mainoo. 39 minutes ago By Kieran Davies Man Utd 1-1 Everton 54. Everton loft a long ball into the box. Bayindir comes to collect it with ease. Man Utd look like mentally they are all still in the changing rooms. 41 minutes ago By Kieran Davies Man Utd 1-1 Everton 52. A slip by Ugarte allows Everton to break. Man Utd manage to get numbers back to clear their lines. This is a woeful display by the Uruguayan midfielder. 43 minutes ago By Kieran Davies Man Utd 1-1 Everton 50. Man Utd are seeing a lot of the ball but their passing game seems to have no end product. Ruben Amorim said as much during the break in his interview. For all the money they have spent up top, they should look more of an attacking threat than Wolves, who Cunha left for them.
Daily Mirror
4 minutes ago
- Daily Mirror
Man Utd chief Omar Berrada delivers promising transfer update - 'Lots of late calls'
Manchester United have make RB Leipzig's Benjamin Sesko their top transfer target this summer, and chief executive Omar Berrada is hopeful of more deals Manchester United chief executive Omar Berrada says the club are working around the clock to make more signings before the start of the new season. United have added Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo and Diego Leon this summer, but are pushing to sign a striker to lead their attack, with RB Leipzig's Benjamin Sesko their top target. Berrada, speaking before United's final US tour game against Everton in Atlanta, said he, director of football Jason Wilcox and boss Ruben Amorim are doing all they can to strengthen the squad with new faces. 'We have to do a lot of multitasking,' said Berrada. 'We have a team back home led by Jason, the recruitment team, that is working around the clock to ensure that we continue to find opportunities to strengthen our squad. There are lots of late calls and early morning meetings to make sure that we stay on top of it. 'Of course, adding players helps. We have seen the arrival of Bryan Mbeumo, Matheus Cunha and Diego Leon. They have adapted really well. 'We've seen Bryan play for the first time, Matheus has already shown his quality and Diego has shown that he is adapting very quickly, having just come from Paraguay, so all of the signs are positive and we are cautiously optimistic. We hope we're going to have a great season. 'The mood has been very good. The culture, the standards, the values, we are trying to ensure that we create a team spirit that allows the players to compete at the highest level. We have very high standards, Ruben is very clear about that and so is Jason. 'It's something we want to see with the players, with the staff, with everyone, because what we want to do is to win and to start winning titles as soon as possible. 'It's about raising standards, being very disciplined and the way you approach the application of those standards. We have to make sure that everybody abides by them, that everybody believes in them and that nobody falls out of line. It is really important for us to create that sense of togetherness around a single idea.' Reflecting on United's three-game US tour, Berrada said: 'It's been amazing, it's been very good. I'm really pleased with how it's gone. 'The team has trained really well, the interaction with the fans, activations with our partners, everything has been excellent. The Premier League has put on an excellent tournament.'
Belfast Telegraph
33 minutes ago
- Belfast Telegraph
New Belfast Giants star reveals stylish helmet artwork honouring Champions League winning goalkeeper
The Czech goalkeeper is considered to be one of the greatest football goalkeepers of all time, winning the 2012 Champions League and four Premier League titles with Chelsea, as well as five FA Cups during a glittering career that also saw him play for Arsenal. However, since retiring from football, he has returned to his first sporting love of ice hockey, playing primarily in the lower tiers of the English game with the likes of the Guildford Phoenix, Chelmsford Chieftains and Oxford City Stars. After featuring in a charity game at the SSE Arena to support Ukrainian ice hockey in the summer of 2023, Cech would be called up by the Giants as injury cover the following November, preceding two more short-term deals to help cover injuries in February and August the following year. The Plzen native would even get some time in a competitive game, coming on for the final four-and-a-half minutes of an Elite League clash with the Glasgow Clan in November 2023 and making one save without conceding in a 5-1 win at the SSE Arena. While Cech has not been signed to the Giants' roster for the upcoming season – yet – the ex-Premier League star will still be in Belfast in some capacity as he features on the back of Gravel's helmet, which the new netminder revealed on Instagram on Sunday. The 25-year-old, who signed for the Giants from German side Adler Mannheim this summer, is an avid football fan and showed off the new artwork that reflects Cech lifting the Champions League trophy, flanked by the Canadian and United Kingdom flags. Gravel, a former NHL Draft pick with the Chicago Blackhawks, will battle it out for game time with Great Britain international Jackson Whistle this season but arrives with significant pedigree as a former CHL First Team All-Star honouree and an Ivan Hlinka Memorial Cup winner.
