19 Feb 2009Clattenburg wins appeal against sacking

Football Referees, Players, Managers and Media

Referee Mark Clattenburg has won an appeal against his sacking and may be back in the middle within the next six weeks, it emerged yesterday (February 18th).

The 33-year-old was originally suspended at the start of the season for alleged financial irregularities relating to his firm MC Electrical Retail NE Ltd, which was wound up last June.

He has not refereed since being withdrawn from the Community Shield clash between Manchester United and Portsmouth in August and was subsequently stripped of his elite status last month.

However, a statement from referees' body Professional Game Match Officials (PGMO) read: "PGMO is confident that he has the ability to regain his position as one of English football's top officials.

"Mark Clattenburg has been reminded of his responsibilities and contractual obligations as a Select Group Official, particularly in regard to full disclosure of any outside business interests."

Clattenburg, who denied all the allegations throughout, is now expected to make a return as early as April.

He became the youngest ever referee to take charge of a Football League game in 2000 at the age of 25.

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