Mark Clattenburg resigns as Nottingham Forest referee analyst just two months after taking the job
Mark Clattenburg has sensationally resigned from his position as referee analyst on the board of Nottingham Forest.
The former Premier League referee admits his position has become “more of a hindrance than a help” for the Midlands club.
Clattenburg took over in February and was tasked with helping the club's players and staff understand the VAR process in greater detail.
But the role has seen him embroiled in controversy after key decisions went against the team, most recently in last month's 2-0 defeat at Nottingham Forest.
In a statement issued on Friday, 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.
“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 VAR operation.
“However, it is now clear that the existence and performance of these consultancy services have caused unwanted 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 undeservedly targeting me personally. Such reactions and results were unexpected and regrettable as I sincerely believe there is a place and value in such a role 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 has been an honour.”
Clattenburg found himself in a precarious situation when Forest hit the referee in their clash against relegation rivals Everton.
He had spoken to PGMOL boss Howard Webb about the appointment of Stuart Atwell to VAR despite him being a luton city fan.
Forest claim they were denied three penalties and Atwell failed to direct match referee Anthony Taylor to pitchside monitors.
2
Webb admitted this week that one of the three incidents should have led to a penalty kick.
