If this is true, it’s a bit of a delayed reaction.
You’ll know by now that Mark Clattenburg is leaving the Premier League to pursue his fortune in Saudi Arabia. The highly-rated official will take up a role as Head of Referees in Saudi once his notice is served.
Whilst we assumed there was were other rea$ons why Clattenburg was fleeing English football for a relative footballing minnow, it seems his reasons may have more to do with hurt feelings than anything else.
That’s the view of former referees’ boss Keith Hackett, who claims the way that Clattenburg was treated over an incident involving Juan Mata – then a Chelsea player – back in 2012 may be to blame.
Back then, Chelsea alleged the referee had used racist language towards Mata and John Obi Mikel, and specifically that he’d called the forward a ‘Spanish tw**’.  In the end, an FA investigation cleared him of any wrongdoing.
But Hackett believes a perceived lack of support from the authorities at the time is partly to blame for Clattenburg having had enough and quitting the Premier League for good:
“It’s bad news for English refereeing. The Premier League has lost the world’s best ref. it’s a massive blow.
“I think it’s down to poor management. There were incidents when the PGMOL haven’t supported or clarified decisions when they’ve needed to.
“Mark felt after the Mata incident no-one supported him. He was left high and dry.”
