Mark Clattenburg is "quitting his job as a Premier League official to become Saudi Arabia's new head of referees," according to the BBC. The 41-year-old is "widely considered to be one of the best referees in football" and took charge of the Euro 2016 final, the Champions League final and the FA Cup final last season. Howard Webb, another former top-flight official, resigned as Saudi Arabia's head of refereeing 11 days ago. Clattenburg is "expected to leave before the next Premier League fixtures." His new post will involve working with Saudi referees to "improve performance and professionalise the set-up," while he will also take charge of some league games. He signed a one-year rolling contract. EPL referee body Professional Game Match Officials Ltd. said that Clattenburg had been "a great asset" and "an inspiration to those who want to get into refereeing" (BBC, 2/16). The PA reported the 41-year-old, who became an assistant referee in the Northern League at 18, has reportedly "grown unhappy with the level of public support officials are given" by the PGMOL and has "been linked with various lucrative moves abroad" (PA, 2/16).
PAY RAISE: In London, Craig Hope reported Clattenburg will "probably get quite the pay rise." Premier League referees are paid around £65,000 ($81,000) per year, plus a match fee of just over £1,000 ($1,250) for every game they do. Most will end up with a salary of just over £100,000 ($125,000). Moving to "cash-rich" Saudi Arabia is "likely to see a big boost to those wages, although full details are not yet known" (DAILY MAIL, 2/16).
