Mark Clattenburg Replaced as Saudi Arabia's Head of Refereeing

[The Palace Fan]

Mark Clattenburg has been replaced as Saudi Arabia's head of refereeing after 18 months in the post.

The 43-year-old, who remains the director of refereeing in the country, gave up officiating in the Premier League in February last year to take up what was a reportedly lucrative position, said to be worth £325,000 per year.

He replaced fellow former Premier League referee Howard Webb in the post.

A statement confirming changes was posted on the Saudi Football Federation's Twitter page last Friday.

It read: "The Saudi Football Federation has issued a decision appointing Mr Nabil Bin Khalid Naqshbandi as chairman of the board of governors, replacing Mark Clattenburg.

"The decision to appoint Naqshbandi is part of the board's efforts to develop the system of work of the union to promote football in the kingdom of the status that is appropriate to the world."

Clattenburg, who has not yet commented on the development, was regarded as England's top referee at the time of his departure, having taken charge of the FA Cup final, Champions League final and Euro 2016 final the previous year.

[Cicero]

Good. No official who has blatantly admitted to to making the wrong decisions for his own interest should be in that high of ranking.