Former official Mark Clattenburg has addressed the claims made by former Leicester City star Danny Simpson the ex-referee tried to help the Foxes win the Premier League title in 2016
Former referee Mark Clattenburg has fired back at allegations made by ex-Leicester City defender Danny Simpson that the official attempted to assist the Foxes in securing the Premier League trophy. Leicester shocked the world in 2016 when they achieved the impossible by claiming the title.
But Simpson, the former City right-back, previously suggested that Clattenburg – who has been happy to discuss tales from his time in the game of late – chose not to dismiss a Leicester player during a crucial match.
Simpson also claimed that Clattenburg, 50, told him directly that he was rooting for Leicester to lift the trophy. Appearing on the Undr The Cosh podcast, the former official vehemently denied Simpson’s accusations and provided his version of events.
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“You had Danny Simpson on this podcast didn’t you,” Clattenburg began. “And I’d like to address it as I wasn’t happy, because Danny made a comment, and you can say it in humour, but say it in humour.
“You know, because I’ve met Danny many times, in Dubai for example at the horse racing, at the Dubai World Cup, and we’ve had a beer, we’ve had a laugh and when things cross a line… I think every football fan in the world wanted Leicester to win the title. As a human being, the romance of Leicester winning the title was amazing – as a human being, not as a referee.
“But actually saying I was going to caution Danny Drinkwater, who I hadn’t even cautioned earlier in the game, was like, crazy, do you know what I mean? Because if he’s factually correct in that I had cautioned Danny Drinkwater and I gave him a second chance, and I hadn’t sent him off, then fair enough you can make that argument.”
He added: “But I hadn’t. I’d only cautioned two Leicester players that whole season because I found the Leicester boys really good crack, and because they were good guys, they probably got away with a bit because of the fine margins. Do you know what I mean?
“But I never went around and said, ‘I’m not cautioning you because I need you to win the title,’ because I lose respect. If you deserve a second yellow, you go.”
During Leicester’s title-winning campaign, Clattenburg officiated four of their matches but didn’t issue a booking to Drinkwater. His sole booking was for Robert Huth in an April 2016 clash with Swansea, reports Leicestershire Live.
Simpson hasn’t specified which match Clattenburg allegedly refrained from giving Drinkwater a second yellow card, but in March 2023, he said: “I remember Clattenburg, mate. I think he should have sent someone off and he said something like, ‘I should have sent you off there but I want yous to win it.’
“It was mad. I swear to God. It’s a good job there was no VAR. I had to pretend I didn’t hear it. I was laughing my b******s off inside and I thought, ‘Yeah, we’re doing this.’
“I think it was Drinky, actually. It was his second yellow or something and he could’ve easily sent him off but he didn’t.”
Following Simpson’s remarks, Clattenburg strongly rejected the accusations. Describing them as “ridiculous”, he told The Daily Mail: “I fully deny the allegations made by Danny Simpson. I find them preposterous. They are very serious and could question my integrity.” He also warned of potential legal proceedings.
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