Mark Clattenburg will be the sole English representative in the Champions League final, but we got a glimpse of his abilities at Wembley.
The Durham referee took centre-stage for the FA Cup final between Manchester United and Crystal Palace, and perhaps got more attention than he’d have liked.
No prediction for the game, but just really hoping that Clattenburg gets an injury to keep him out of the Champions League final.
— Fisted Away (@fistedaway) May 21, 2016
The main moment of controversy came roughly 20 minutes into the game.
Connor Wickham broke through on goal, only for the ref to blow his whistle before the striker could fire past David De Gea.
The reason for the whistle? A free-kick to Palace, just outside the area. Probably not as good as a goal, if we’re being honest.
Palace fans were naturally dumbfounded, but they weren’t the only ones.
It ranged from the straightforward…
lol Clattenburg
— Mac (@Tweetgood_Mac) May 21, 2016
Played Clattenburg…
— Ben McAleer (@BenMcAleer1) May 21, 2016
To the sarcastic…
https://twitter.com/kevinmccauley/status/734064528992927745
Clatts warming up for the Champions League final in style
— James Horncastle (@JamesHorncastle) May 21, 2016
To the partisan…
https://twitter.com/cathgibs/status/734065962228588545
And finally the unsurprised.
Clattenburg loves being the centre of attention doesn't he
— Rhys 🏴 (@RuhBuhJuh) May 21, 2016
https://twitter.com/hmclandress/status/734065335914115072
Incredibly, Clattenburg did the same thing again before the break, blowing up seconds before Joel Ward burst free down Palace’s right-hand side.
By that stage, people weren’t even that surprised.
https://twitter.com/MonNightDawes/status/734069977616142337
https://twitter.com/djuaicgknan/status/734070003037839360
Deary me, Clattenburg.
— Simon Harrison (@simonhfootball) May 21, 2016
