Former Premier League referee Mark Clattenburg is recognised as one of the best referees in English football history.
A lifelong Newcastle United fan, Mark Clattenburg was never able to officiate a competitive game involving the Magpies, but he took part in one of their most important games in the club’s history.
Clattenburg refereed Alan Shearer’s testimonial in 2006, awarding Newcastle a late penalty for the retiring Shearer to come on and score his final goal in front of the Gallowgate End.
There is no doubt that the former Premier League official was pleased that Newcastle finally ended their agonising wait for a trophy by winning the Carabao Cup final against Liverpool at Wembley Stadium earlier in March, but the result may have looked different had it not been for VAR
Clattenburg suggested VAR favoured Newcastle in the Cup final as it allowed Eddie Howe’s side to regroup and regain their confidence for the final minutes of the tie.
The County Durham-born man has recently lifted the lid on his career and pivotal moments that would define him, including one incident with a former Newcastle player who never forgave him for it.
Photo by Scott Heavey/Getty Images
Photo by Scott Heavey/Getty Images
Why former Newcastle star Craig Bellamy hated Mark Clattenburg
Craig Bellamy formed a fine career for himself after leaving Newcastle in 2005. The Welshman was known for his fiery outbursts throughout his career, even more so as a youngster managed by Sir Bobby Robson.
Bellamy let his anger fuel him at Newcastle, forming a fine partnership with Shearer when he began to slow down at the latter stages of his career.
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Clattenburg revealed Bellamy was the biggest moaner he ever had to referee during his career, and the 50-year-old recently revealed on the Overlap podcast exactly why the current Wales national team boss disliked him so much.
“Some players just didn’t like me, and I didn’t like them,” he sad.
“My problem with Craig was I was refereeing Bolton vs Man City and I cautioned him for dissent when I could’ve easily sent him off.
“I know if i’m gonna send him off for foul language I’m gonna be in the world news so I want to try and avoid that controversy, I don’t want the club to be upset.
“I tried to manage the situation, then I sent him off for a dive when I watched it back later on that night it was a penalty so he never forgave me for it.
“It never got overturned because it was two yellow cards, which is crazy because if I’ve said it’s wrong, then it the suspension should be dropped.
“But that’s the rules, two yellow cards and he has to serve a one-match suspension, so he never forgave us for that.”
Craig Bellamy created one of Newcastle’s best memories
Bellamy enjoyed four years on Tyneside, signing from Coventry City for around £6m. His time at Newcastle was memorable, to say the least. But one moment is the defining one above all.
In November 2003, Newcastle travelled to Holland to take on Feyenoord in the Champions League. After scoring to make it 2-0, the Dutch side levelled the tie.
Then, in the final minutes of the game, Bellamy was first to a loose ball to fire in and give Newcastle a historic win away from home.
Fans appreciated him for his efforts on Tyneside, but it was clear that he became a much better player elsewhere, even if he didn’t play for them as long.