- Nottingham Forest appointed 49-year-old Mark Clattenburg as advisor in February
- The club reacted angrily to officials after losing 2-0 to Everton last month.
- Were Jude Bellingham’s antics at Allianz out of line? Listen to the It’s all starting! podcast
Mark Clattenburg has resigned from his role as a consultant to the Nottingham Forest board after admitting he had become “more of a hindrance than a help” to the club.
The former Premier League referee took up the role in February and was intended to help players and staff better understand how VAR works and how decisions are made.
However, Clattenburg’s presence has generated controversy amid a series of key decisions that have gone against the team. There are concerns that his involvement and Forest’s decision to seek such guidance from a former referee has angered the PGMOL and has had a negative impact as a result.
The 49-year-old also believes he has been unfairly attacked by sections of the media, with Forest considering legal action against Sky following comments made by pundit Gary Neville.
Clattenburg said: “This is the reason for announcing that I will no longer be providing match analysis services to Nottingham Forest Football Club.” Since February this year, I am proud to have done so under a consultancy agreement between NFFC and Referee Consultant Ltd.
Former referee Mark Clattenburg resigns from his position as a consultant to Nottingham Forest
Forest were furious with three refereeing decisions during their 2-0 defeat to Everton last month and alleged VAR Stuart Attwell was showing bias towards relegation rivals Luton.
The club issued this incendiary statement after the controversial defeat at Goodison Park
“I provided my services under the consultancy agreement in good faith, to the best of my ability and in the hope of using my extensive experience as a match referee to help the NFFC understand how decisions are made in relation to key match incidents in means of the operation of VAR.
‘However, it is now clear that the existence and performance of these consultancy services have caused unintended friction between NFFC and other participants, to the extent that they have become more of a hindrance than a help to NFFC.
‘It has also led to certain participants and experts unfairly attacking me, personally. Such reactions and results were not expected and it is unfortunate, as I sincerely believe that such a role has a place and value in the modern game.
‘I am grateful to the NFFC and wish them all the best for the rest of the season and beyond. It’s been an honour.’
Clattenburg soon became a conduit between the club and the PGMOL when Forest felt aggrieved by decisions going against them in games. He had spoken to PGMOL boss Howard Webb before the team’s 2-0 defeat to Everton last month and expressed concern that VAR Stuart Attwell was partial to Luton Town, Forest’s rivals in the semi-final. bottom of the Premier League.
Forest were then denied what were believed to be three penalties at Goodison Park and Attwell did not send referee Anthony Taylor to his pitchside monitor to review any of the incidents. Webb admitted this week that one of three should have been a penalty.
But Forest, whose Greek owner Evangelos Marinakis was furious, caused a furore when he published a statement on
Clattenburg, 49, redoubled his criticism of the Midlands club in his column for Mail Sport
Attwell, left, was on VAR duty at Goodison Park with Anthony Taylor, right, the on-field referee.
‘We advised the PGMOL that the VAR is a Luton fan before the match but they did not change it. Our patience has been tested several times. The NFFC will now consider its options.’
Clattenburg was not involved in the statement, but it led to explosive consequences, and the Football Association and the Premier League have since formally asked the club for its comments.
So was Clattenburg, and he was asked to explain his comments in a Daily Mail column in which he analyzed the three decisions. They have until next week to respond.
