No, it’s not Manchester United
It’s a well known fact that all referees support whichever team yours is playing on any given day. Most referees get accused of supporting the big teams because, well, they tend to win more matches.
Mark Clattenburg was often accused of big club bias by aggrieved fans during his time in the Premier League before he left the UK to earn the big bucks in Saudi Arabia. But it turns out ‘Clatts’ is not a fan of any of the traditional big six clubs.
Responding to a fan asking him to reveal his football club on Twitter, Clattenburg replied: “Newcastle United. The best team in the world!”
Newcastle United. The best team in the world!
— Mark Clattenburg (@clattenburg1975) April 11, 2019
Clattenburg can at least say he supports his local team, as he was born 14 miles outside Newcastle in Consett, County Durham.
The veteran referee will be leaving the Middle East soon, after he announced in February that the Chinese Football Association had hired him. Just like players in the twilight of their career, Clattenburg is doing a tour of the retirement leagues, saving up a fortune before he finally hangs up his whistle. And fair enough.
