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The Athletic FC Podcast

Mark Clattenburg on refereeing conspiracies

The Athletic FC Podcast

The Athletic

Sports, Premier League, Champions League, Soccer,, World Cup

4.01.3K Ratings

🗓️ 20 March 2025

⏱️ 61 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

From the evolution of the profession to the impact of VAR, the pressures officials face has never been greater.


Today we’re joined by a man who’s refereed at the highest level of European football - both in the club and international game.


With fan-fueled conspiracies on the rise and scrutiny at an all-time high, how difficult is it to be a referee?


Ayo Akinwolere is joined by former Premier League and FIFA referee Mark Clattenburg as well as The Athletic's senior writer Rory Smith to discuss Mark's career, his time at Nottingham Forest as well as the impact conspiracy has on officiating.


Host: Ayo Akinwolere

With: Mark Clattenburg and Rory Smith

Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead

Producer: Guy Clarke


Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Transcript

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0:00.0

This episode of the Athletic FC is brought to you by TNT Sports, your destination for football's not normal moments.

0:06.3

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0:10.3

every match day brings drama, excitement and brilliance that simply cannot be explained.

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What do we mean?

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It's Cole Palmer with ice in his veins scoring a last-minute winner.

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It's a trademark lung-busting box-to-box

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run by Declam Rice, Islamin Yamal embarrassing defenders almost twice his age. TNC Sports brings

0:27.3

you football in its most unpredictable jaw-dropping glory with the very best domestic and

0:31.6

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0:37.4

From the outrageous to the unexpected with added bits of chaos, craziness and fun that only football can deliver, it's got to be TNT Sports. With the Premier League, UEFA Champions League, Europa League, Conference League, Emirates, FA Cup, and Adobe Women's FA Cup all in one place, TNT Sports, not normal.

0:54.8

Stream TNT Sports on Discovery Plus

0:56.7

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0:58.4

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1:00.2

Subscription required,

1:01.1

it's over 18s only and T's and T's apply.

1:08.0

The Athletic FC Podcast Network.

1:13.4

Welcome to the Athletic FC Podcast Network. Welcome to the Athletic FC podcast with me, Iyo Akimwalere.

1:17.5

From the evolution of the profession to the impact of VAR, the pressures officials face has never been greater.

1:25.2

Coming up, we're joined by a man who's refereed at the highest level of European football,

1:31.1

both in the club and the international game.

1:34.0

It hasn't been a hat-trick scored at the tournament, but Mark Plattenberg now completes one-of-a-kind.

1:38.9

Referring the finals of the FA Cup, Champions League and European Championship in the same year.

...

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