Mark Clattenburg has stirred the pot with his recent comments about how referees could better manage intense matches, specifically referring to Liverpool’s 3-1 victory over AC Milan.
The clash at San Siro saw Liverpool fans get increasingly vocal, and Clattenburg, now an expert for Amazon’s Champions League coverage, weighed in during the broadcast.
Liverpool’s Comeback Performance
Liverpool, led by Arne Slot, bounced back from a tough 1-0 defeat against Nottingham Forest to secure a win at the San Siro.
Despite an early setback with a goal from Milan’s Christian Pulisic, Liverpool’s Ibrahima Konate, Virgil van Dijk, and Dominik Szoboszlai turned the game around, showcasing their dominance throughout the match.
Clattenburg’s Suggestion and the Reaction
With the San Siro crowd growing more hostile, Clattenburg suggested that the referee could have calmed the situation by making a few small decisions in Milan’s favor.
“I think he needs to calm the crowd down,” Clattenburg said.
“The crowd is against him… I think he just needs to give one or two small fouls to get the judgment back.”
This idea didn’t sit well with many Liverpool supporters.
“It’s mental, I couldn’t believe it when he said that,” one fan wrote on X, formerly Twitter.
Another added, “Clattenburg telling the ref to give Milan small fouls to appease the crowd, what an outrageous thing to say.”
However, not everyone dismissed Clattenburg’s advice.
Some found merit in his approach, with one commenter noting, “It’s actually correct.
He’s not saying give them a foul for nothing, but give them a couple of the soft ones.
It’s called game management!”
Milan’s Season Struggles
Milan fans have been frustrated with their team’s performance this season, as the Rossoneri find themselves in 10th place in Serie A after just one win in four games under new manager Paulo Fonseca.
Clattenburg’s Career Highlights
Clattenburg, 49, is no stranger to high-profile matches, having officiated the 2016 European Championship and Champions League finals.
After leaving the Premier League in 2017, he became the head of refereeing for the Saudi Arabian Football Federation, significantly increasing his earnings.
He’s also worked as a referees’ analyst for Nottingham Forest and appeared as the lead referee on the BBC TV show Gladiators.
Insight from Craig Hope
Craig Hope, who assisted Clattenburg with his book, provides context to Clattenburg’s comments.
Initially surprised by the notion of balancing decisions, Hope now understands it as a strategy for managing game dynamics.
“It’s about defusing situations and refereeing sensibly,” Hope explains.
“Clattenburg’s approach was part of why he reached the top; he knew how to handle the various pressures of the game.”