The High Performance Podcast Mark Clattenburg: From Death Threats to Champions League Final "Referees Aren't Seen As Human" (E360)
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Jul 14, 2025 Mark Clattenburg, a former Premier League referee known for officiating major finals like the FA Cup and Champions League, shares his compelling journey. He opens up about the mental pressure and isolation that come with such a high-stakes job. Clattenburg discusses the emotional toll of public scrutiny and the need for mental health support in officiating. He reflects on his experiences during crucial matches, emphasizing the importance of resilience and trust in communication with players, even when dealing with football's biggest stars.
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Technology's Pressure Paradox
- Technology like VAR increases scrutiny and anxiety for referees rather than reduces it.
- Fans now demand perfection and are less accepting of subjective decisions, hurting the game's health.
Limit VAR to Factual Calls
- Use technology only for factual decisions like goal line and offsides to improve accuracy.
- Leave subjective foul calls to referees for quicker decisions and preserving game flow.
Refereeing Brutality and Abuse
- Mark Clattenburg experienced severe abuse, including death threats and hate mail, for doing his job as a referee.
- Such abuse deeply affected his mental health and his family, highlighting the human toll of refereeing.