Clattenburg`s Vendetta Could Cost Bolton Big Time

The very first league game at Bolton`s Reebok Stadium was mired in controversy. A goal that should have been given wasn`t.and the Whites were relegated at the end of the season. Everton, the opponents that day, survived on goal difference.

That was an honest refereeing mistake, but Mark Clattenburg`s decision to cancel out a legitimate strike against Fulham on Saturday was far more sinister and represented the culmination of a four-year vendetta by the match official against Kevin Davies. Clattenburg indicated that Davies had pushed Brede Hangeland, but replays showed that the Bolton captain hadn`t raised his hands.

Such blatantly unfair treatment is nothing new. Clattenburg almost always books Davies, but allows defenders to foul him without punishment.

Davies has at last spoken out publicly on the subject: 'Every time he referees us, I don't expect to get anything,` he told Sky Sports. That assessment is accurate, but the problem has existed for years and Bolton`s management should have raised it with The Professional Game Match Officials Board a long time ago.

This season`s relegation scrap will go to the wire. The two points lost against Fulham could prove crucial. If Bolton go down, the difference in revenue will amount to tens of millions of pounds. That shouldn`t be down to the whim of a referee with a grudge.

Clattenburg has been suspended once because of his business dealings. It`s now time to launch an investigation into his conduct on a football pitch

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Writer: Richard McCormick

Date:Monday February 8 2010

Time: 11:55AM

Your Comments

When a ref makes the wrong sort of headlines off the pitch and has a history of dodgy decisions on it we are entitled to ask 'Why is that prat still here?'

adlington2

I agree. Its one thing missing something and making an honest mistake.....but to see a 2 handed push that never happened - surely he needs investigating and suspending. If it happened to United he'd never referee a match at OT again

iainclements

Presumably the bookies that pay him didn't want a Bolton win. A seriously inept referee that needs sacking. Again.

pigstalker

Lets be realistic, if Utd/Chelski/Pool/Aresenal had to put up with Clattenbergs inept reffibg he would be shipped to Sunday Park footie quickly. It's time that home teams should be able to reject rubish refs and then proper results would happen. Andy cyprus

andycyprus

Too true Andy. Clattenburg made an error in a Liverpool game and was relieved of his duties the following weekend.

Gudni

....I think that hair transplant he had a year or so ago has caused an infection

ReebokWhite

can`t we just threaten his life it worked with barry knight the 2@

noti

Listen to you all! The referee is dire but yet so are Bolton! Saying that, two wrongs don't make a right.

Nellup

I wrote to the Premier League senior ref after the incident at the Emirates. I got a bog standard reply letter which just burbled on about each ref getting analysed etc etc but basically saying nothing. They are untouchable these prem ref's.

d3rks