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27th September 2008, 11:29
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#1 (permalink) |
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Winner of the Tabata bet
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Patrice Evra is that which no greater can be conceived.
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Clattenburg Exposed
EXPOSED: Here’s why top ref Mark Clattenburg has been banned since the start of the season
Top referee Mark Clattenburg was suspended after allegations he had sent an email threatening the family of a business associate, it can be revealed. Clattenburg, 33, was dramatically dropped from refereeing last month’s Community Shield clash at Wembley just hours after the FA and the PGMOL, the referees’ professional body, were alerted to the accusation. He has been suspended ever since. Sportsmail can reveal that an investigation into Clattenburg has centred not only on his personal life, but also on business debts of almost £175,000 he is alleged to have run up in recent months. Threatening: Clattenburg A business associate involved in a legal dispute with Clattenburg, who runs his own electrical business, tipped off the football authorities after receiving an email which he deemed to be threatening. Asked if he was convinced he would be proved innocent and would return to football, Clattenburg said: ‘ I would hope so. You don’t know, do you? You can’t guarantee anything. I can’t guarantee what’s going to happen tomorrow, I can’t guarantee what’s going to happen the next day. ‘At the end of the day, the truth will come out.’ The email at the centre of the storm read: ‘You are missing the bigger picture. Check you can use our companies (sic) money to fund your legal crusade against me. If not, taking me to court might cause your family some pain.’ The recipient then forwarded it to a lawyer with the firm Eversheds - they were already investigating Clattenburg’s alleged debts - on August 7 and within three hours the FA and PGMOL announced the referee’s immediate suspension, pending an investigation of his alleged debts. It is understood they felt forced to act after seeing not only the email but also receiving an anonymous letter highlighting other allegations relating to Clattenburg’s personal life. Clattenburg, rated as one of the best young officials in the game, missed the Manchester United v Portsmouth fixture on August 10 and, as the investigation into Clattenburg continued, a computer he once used for work relating to his electrical business was seized. The machine is currently being forensically examined by Eversheds. Although Clattenburg is rated as one of the country's best young referees, he has not officiated after being relieved of his duties before the Community Shield Clattenburg’s business interests centre on two electrical companies. MC Electrical Services Ltd are currently in the hands of Sunderland-based receivers Tenon Recovery and are the subject of a legal action claiming they owe another North Eastern electrical firm more than £5,000. And another of Clattenburg’s firms - MC Electrical Retail Ltd - have been wound up by the Official Receiver with an alleged outstanding debt of more than £71,000. However, on Friday night one business associate of Clattenburg claimed he owes more than £170,000, not only to firms in the North East of England but also for non-payment of PAYE and VAT. The businessman, who cannot be named, claims to have seen a document drawn up by Clattenburg himself, listing his numerous debts. These included owing VAT of £23,500, £20,000 in the form of a bank overdraft, £5,000 to the Inland Revenue, a further £5,5000 in PAYE payments and other business debts, leaving the referee currently in debt to the tune of more than £170,000. Two months ago his black BMW X5 vehicle - with the personalised number plate C 19 TTS (Clatts) was repossessed. When confronted with the allegations, the referee described claims that he owed in excess £170,000 as ‘false’. ‘Every allegation that has been put against me, I have proved all the evidence against it - and I’ll do exactly the same again,’ he said on Friday. ‘I have already answered these questions. The questions have already been put to me. ‘You will have to speak to the PGMOL because they are dealing with this matter. ‘They have cleared (me on) a number of matters. ‘All the allegations that have been put to me by the PGMOL I have responded to and if you want to speak to the PGMOL about that matter then you do that. ‘I will fight this like I have to. I have answered the governing body of these questions, I’ve heard them all. ‘What happens in life is that liars get found out and I’ll just sit back until I’m proven innocent and then I’ll go back to work, hopefully.’ Top referee Clattenburg set to be dropped from duty for some time over business failure Whistle-blower on Clattenburg's case after serious letter accusations Clattenburg given time off for poor officiating following Merseyside derby fiasco. Asked if he had any contact with the police he replied: ‘That’s up to you to find out.’ Northumbria police refused to comment on Friday night. He also said he hoped to return to refereeing in the top flight. ‘Why wouldn’t I (be reinstated)? I’m innocent. When I come back to refereeing, I’ll just smile.’ A spokesman for the PGMOL said: ‘There is an ongoing investigation and we cannot make any further comment at this time.’ Clattenburg’s problems have mounted in the past 12 months - starting with his controversial performance when Everton entertained Liverpool at Goodison Park last October. He received death threats after sending off Tony Hibbert and awarding a Liverpool penalty when the defender brought down Steven Gerrard on the edge of the Everton area. He then ignored two penalty appeals against Liverpool’s captain Jamie Carragher and produced a yellow card only for Dirk Kuyt’s two-footed lunge on Phil Neville during the controversial Merseyside derby which Liverpool won 2-1. Almost 3,000 fans signed an internet petition calling for Clattenburg to be stopped from officiating. Only last month a £40,000 black Boxster Porsche car, which Clattenburg had been driving, was vandalised outside his flat in Gosforth, causing thousands of pounds worth of damage. Clattenburg would not respond to allegations that he had sent a threatening email to a business associate. |
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27th September 2008, 11:46
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#5 (permalink) | |
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"Ronaldo and trophies > Manchester United football club"
Join Date: Sep 2004
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27th September 2008, 11:52
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#6 (permalink) |
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Reserve Team Player
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: “Manchester United never lose, they just run out of time”
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I've always thought Clattenburg was a strange one. The first time he reffed us, I think it was only his fifth top flight match, he was excellent. I thought he'd go on to be the #1 ref for the next decade. But then he just turned shit and went on to be arguably the worst of the bunch.
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27th September 2008, 13:48
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#10 (permalink) | |
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Winner of the 'Most pompous arrogant pretentious Gooner' title 2004
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27th September 2008, 17:08
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#11 (permalink) | |
 Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: "You sir, are the syphilitic cockbiscuit son of a hamster rimmer."; "Sir Alex Ferguson, trainer of the English champions, wants to start the spoon fruits since early."
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