Mark Clattenburg, the referee who was criticised for his handling of the England-Germany World Cup match, has resigned from his role as manager of the Egyptian referees’ association.
“After five months of hard work and dedication, it has been decided that I am no longer able to continue in the role as manager of the Egyptian referees’ association,” Clattenburg said in a statement. “The intense media and professional scrutiny that comes with the job is simply too much at this stage in my career. I would like to thank the Egyptian Football Association for their understanding and for giving me the opportunity to serve them in this role.”
The decision to appoint Clattenburg as manager of the Egyptian referees’ association came in the aftermath of the World Cup match between England and Germany, in which the referee was accused of awarding two penalties – one of which led to the decisive goal. Clattenburg later apologised for his performance, but he was nevertheless dismissed from his role as assistant referee for the upcoming Euros.
“The decision to appoint me as manager of the Egyptian referees’ association was a difficult one to take, but I felt that it was important to give me the opportunity to try and put things right,” Clattenburg said. “However, after five months of hard work and dedication, I am now feeling that I am unable to continue in the role. I would like to thank the Egyptian Football Association for their understanding and for giving me the opportunity to serve them in this role.”
Despite the controversy that has surrounded him since the World Cup, Clattenburg is still considered one of the world’s leading referees. He has officiated in more than 200 matches and was recently named referee of the year by the English Football Association.