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      Mark Clattenburg was a referee for the Instagram age… why on earth is Gladiators star working at Nottingham Forest?

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      IF you’re a strange enough person to train to become a referee, there’s one excellent rule of thumb you’re supposed to live by.If nobody notices you, you’ve had a good game. And if you hardly ever get noticed, you’re a bloody good ref.Mark Clattenburg is one of the Premier League’s most recognizable refereesCredit: GettyHe is now working at Nottingham ForestCredit: PAI never was a particularly good ref. I jacked it in after 18 months – not long after a woman running the line for her son’s Under-12s team likened me to Adolf Hitler because I over-ruled her offside decision.If you’re being compared to a genocidal maniac, I figured, then the low-profile thing isn’t really happening.Which brings us to Mark Clattenburg, who has never run a Reich either, but who certainly seems to have debunked the ‘quiet-ref-is-good-ref’ myth.The perma-tanned Geordie – now causing a stir at Nottingham Forest as the Premier League’s first referee analyst – was a ref for the Instagram age.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLHe took charge of the Champions League Final and had a tattoo of the trophy on his arm. Likewise the Euro 2016 final.He broke rules by travelling from a match alone because he had Ed Sheeran tickets.He was at the centre of a sewage storm over a verbal bust-up with Chelsea players. And another about his business debts. And another about Craig Bellamy.Yet despite his limelight-hogging, Clattenburg was undoubtedly one of the world’s best referees.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSAt the height of his powers, Clattenburg quit to take a job at the Saudi FA. Then similar posts in China, Egypt and Greece, where he met Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis.And now on TV’s Gladiators, where he arbitrates on lycra-clad contestants rolling around in giant hamster balls.Premier League manager flips at assistant referee for ‘disrespectfully’ eating SANDWICH during conversation after match So it’s fair to say Clattenburg isn’t one for the quiet life – just like his new boss, the ‘larger-than-life’ Marinakis.So after Paul Tierney dropped an almighty conker during injury-time, then Liverpool scored a 99th-winner to defeat Forest on Saturday, it was little surprise to hear of Marinakis kicking off in the tunnel and Clattenburg giving media interviews in the City Ground’s ‘mixed zone’.Now Tierney was clearly wrong to award a drop ball to Liverpool after he’d halted a Forest attack so that Ibrahima Konate could receive treatment.One minute and fifty seconds later, Darwin Nunez scored the only goal. So yes, Forest were hard done by, but who knows, Liverpool might have scored a late winner anyway. Liverpool usually do.The question is ‘what on Earth is Clattenburg doing at Forest?’To me, it’s obvious why Clattenburg took the job. Same as most people take most jobs, for money.But why did Marinakis take the unprecedented decision to add a former ref to his club’s staff?Interestingly, it doesn’t appear to be to educate players on the laws of the game.Forest skipper Ryan Yates says he hasn’t spoken to Clattenburg since the club employed him a fortnight ago.My conclusion, then, is that Marinakis appears to believe Clattenburg’s appointment might influence top-flight referees, some of whom are his friends, to give Forest more favourable decisions.This is not to imply that Premier League refs are in any way easily influenced. It’s always best to assume cock-up rather than conspiracy on that front.Nor even to infer that Marinakis feels they might be influenced.Just that – perhaps in some intangible way – Clattenburg’s appointment might sway even one key decision in Forest’s favour. A decision that might be the difference between relegation and survival.Otherwise, what’s the point of employing him?Howard Webb, head of refereeing body PGMOL, had no prior knowledge of Clattenburg’s appointment and can do nothing about it.And Pgmol insist Clattenburg will receive no favourable treatment, compared to any other club official who asks for clarification over decisions.Half an hour after the final whistle, managers or other club staff are allowed to request to speak to a ref.Interestingly, in his post-match interviews on Saturday, Clattenburg stated that he asked to speak to Tierney in the referees’ room and Tierney refused.Yet this was only because another Forest staff member had already done so.But Clattenburg’s Forest gig could be troublesome for Premier League chiefs.During Forest’s FA Cup home clash with Manchester United last week, Clattenburg and Webb were shown on BBC TV sitting next to one another and chatting.Webb watches one or two games per week live and chose Forest v United, with the home club deciding to sit the pair together.Clattenburg has been very critical of Pgmol and the two former elite refs are not bosom buddies.And United were awarded a late winner despite a long VAR check.But what if Forest had been awarded that major decision?Would it have looked good for Webb and Clattenburg to be seen chatting?Maybe we are just being too cynical and suspicious.But, more pertinently, Marinakis appears to be motivated by the possibility of marginal gains.And if there is any suggestion that employing Clattenburg might do Forest any good at all, then many more clubs will seek to add former refs to the payroll.Maybe we will then see two ex-refs working as club analysts for rival clubs speaking to the media post-match, giving opposing views on controversial decisions.And maybe referees themselves might start speaking after matches, as they often did a couple of decades ago.Or maybe my old refereeing instructor was right all along. That a good ref is a ref you never notice.TIME TO SWITCHJude Bellingham crossed paths with a referee on the weekendCredit: AFPFOOTBALL lawmakers seem hell-bent on tinkering with the world’s most popular game in umpteen different ways.Yet the most obvious beneficial major change, the introduction of a stop clock to erase controversies over time-keeping, is always ignored.The extraordinary decision to disallow Jude Bellingham’s ‘winner’ for Real Madrid against Valencia, because the referee had blown the final whistle a second earlier, was only extraordinary because there was no clock with an official end point.Covention has it that referees tend not to blow for full-time at such a point, but why rely on vague conventions when this is a flashpoint which could be easily averted?A NOD TO ARTDarwin Nunez headed Liverpool’s winning goal against Nottingham ForestCredit: AlamyWHAT a wonderful Saturday it was for lovers of good, old-fashioned, towering, headed goals.Due to widespread copycat Pep Guardiola tactics — as well as concerns over concussion —  the sight of a big centre-forward taking a leap and nutting one home has become increasingly rare in the Premier League.But this weekend we saw Liverpool’s Darwin Nunez, Everton’s Beto, Fulham’s Rodrigo Muniz and Nicolas Jackson of Chelsea all reviving this ‘dying art’.ALL TOGETHER NOW: “WALLOP!”Fans have tuned on Mauricio PochettinoCredit: AlamyIT’S never great for a manager when his club’s supporters turn on him — but it’s not necessarily fatal.But when the fans turn on the club’s owner, that’s when the manager tends to get sacked pretty damned soon.So while Mauricio Pochettino won’t have enjoyed Chelsea fans telling him to “f*** off” at Brentford this weekend, he should be far more concerned about the Blues faithful calling Todd Boehly a “c***”.NEV-ER MIND THEMGary Neville, right, and Jamie Carragher have been vocal about Chelsea and Manchester UnitedCredit: GettyLAST week’s Premier League news cycle was dominated by Mauricio Pochettino responding to Gary Neville’s criticism of Chelsea, and Erik ten Hag having a pop at Jamie Carragher over his criticism of Manchester United.There is one way to avoid all this.Just stop talking about what Neville and Carragher think. It only encourages them.READ MORE SUN STORIESWHITE TIME WHITE PLACEJimmy White is set to have a film made about himCredit: GettyJIMMY WHITE’S life story is to be the subject of a Hollywood movie.Given Tinseltown loves a happy ending, the six-time World Snooker Championship runner-up might finally get to see himself lifting the trophy at the Crucible. More

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      Who is referee Sunny Singh Gill? Premier League’s first British South Asian official

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      SUNNY SINGH GILL is making Premier League history at Selhurst Park this weekend.The 39-year-old will become the first British South Asian to referee a match in the Prem when he takes charge of Crystal Palace vs Luton.Sunny Singh Gill officiating in the Championship last monthCredit: RexWho is referee Sunny Singh Gill?Sunny Singh Gill is a football referee who took charge of his first Sunday League match aged only 17.Now 39, he had also worked as a prison officer alongside refereeing matches in the EFL.The whistler had made history earlier this year when he became the first British South Asian to referee a game between two Premier League teams for for Brighton’s FA Cup fourth-round win at Sheffield United in January.Though he has TWO other history-making referees in his own family.His father Jarnail is still the first and only English Football League referee to wear a turban, taking charge of 150 matches between 2004 and 2010.And his brother Bhupinder became the first Sikh-Punjabi to serve as a Premier League assistant ref when he worked as the linesman in Nottingham Forest’s 1-0 win at Southampton in January 2023.Sunny’s father Jarnail was an EFL referee for six years between 2004-2010Credit: GettySunny told EFL.com: “Football has always run in the family. Me and my brother grew up loving the game and like most young kids, we just wanted to play.”But in our household it was a bit different because when we were going to primary school, we knew our dad was going out to referee on a weekend.Most read in Football”There were times he was a fourth official in the Premier League and our friends would say they saw him on Match of the Day!” More

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      Paul Tierney DROPPED after drop ball controversy that sparked angry scenes but ref could still impact weekend’s football

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      PAUL TIERNEY has been dropped from refereeing the next round of Premier League fixtures after controversially assisting Liverpool to snatch a late winner at Nottingham Forest.The referee drew criticism after giving the Reds possession with a drop ball in the build up to Darwin Nunez’s last-gasp winner.Paul Tierney has been dropped from refereeing this weekend’s fixturesCredit: GettyLast weekend he wrongfully gave Liverpool an unopposed drop ball following a head injuryIbrahima Konate went down after appearing to clash with his own goalkeeperThere were chaotic scenes at the end of the matchCredit: PALiverpool defender Ibrahima Konate had gone down with a head injury following a Forest corner after appearing to clash with his own goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher.And despite Forest having possession with Callum Hudson-Odoi when the match was paused, Tierney dropped the ball back to Kelleher.Within seconds the ball was back up the other end of the pitch and in the Forest net – cue uproar around the City Ground.Tierney has been punished by the Premier League for his error by not being allowed to referee a match this weekend.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLHowever he will still be on duty as the VAR for Arsenal’s clash with Brentford on Saturday.Some Gooners are not best pleased with that news with one reacting saying: “Why do they like giving us Paul tierney?🤣”Another added: “No way man. Always there to ruin us.”A third wrote: “Of course he’ll be VAR to completely destroy us after granting Liverpool favours.”Most read in FootballForest owner Evangelos Marinakis entered the technical area at the end of the gameCredit: RexAngry fans confronted TierneyCredit: GettyBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSAnd another commented: “Slap on the wrist.”There is no suggestion Tierney would deliberately influence the result at Arsenal.The Prem will make history this weekend with Sunny Singh Gill set to become the first British South Asian to referee a game.Inside 102-year-old stadium unfit for Europe despite club’s incredible charge into Champions League spot Gill has been appointed to oversee Crystal Palace vs Luton on Saturday – 19 years after his father Jarnail Singh became the first EFL ref to wear a turban when he took charge of Bristol Rovers v Bury in August 2004. More

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      Premier League chiefs in talks over huge rule change ahead of crunch meeting with football lawmakers

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      THE Premier League are hoping to introduce a new substitution rule in the near future.England’s top flight has reportedly penned a letter to football’s lawmakers asking to trial temporary concussion substitutes.The Premier League are in talks to introduce temporary concussion substitutionsCredit: GettyThe rule would change the way players are assessed after a head injuryCredit: AlamyAccording to the Mail Online, the Premier League’s chief football officer Tony Scholes wrote to the International Football Association Board (IFAB) to ask for their permission to start the trial.The Premier League are said to have prepared their own draft protocol to ensure a faster and smoother introduction should IFAB approve the trial.The proposed rule would see players leave the pitch for ten minutes to be thoroughly assessed for a concussion when suffering a head injury.If the player then passes the tests that are carried out they can return to the pitch to continue playing.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThe introduction would be change from the current concussion substitution rules in place in the Prem.Teams are currently allowed two PERMANENT concussion substitutions that do not detract from their tactical changes if a player is deemed to have signs of a concussion.The proposal has been sent to IFAB ahead of the organisation’s annual general meeting which will take place in Scotland this weekend. The Premier League have reportedly pointed towards player welfare as a main factor for the proposed change and have collaborated with the PFA, FIFPro and the World Leagues Forum in their approach.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSThere had already been widespread suggestion of new rules being trialled in English football with the highly-criticised blue card proposition that was leaked last month. However Fifa president Gianni infantino has already rubbished the idea of introducing blue cards to the top level of the sport.Sports reporter Melissa Reddy works up a sweat as she shows off her gym routineBlue MurderBy Martin Lipton

      IT’S a sin for football to allow cynical cheats to get away with it.
      So introducing ten-minute sin-bins would be a big step forward for the game.
      In truth, it does not matter what card the referee shows – blue, green or pink.
      What matters is that, if the trial – which will not include the Prem or EFL at this stage – is a success, then it could become part of top tier professional football by the end of the decade.
      The argument is simple: Nobody likes what Fifa refs’ chief Pierluigi Collina describes as “anti-football action”.
      That is a deliberate, cynical act to stop a potential break by fouling a rival with absolutely no attempt to play the ball.
      If teams who do that have to spend the last 10 minutes of a game a man short, they could pay a real price, rather than just picking up a yellow card and “taking one for the team”.
      Sin bins for dissent might be a tougher argument to progress, although it might just give refs some respect back.
      But having players sat by the side of the pitch, powerless as their man-short side concedes a last-gasp winner, might actually change the way players behave. And it will be a statement of intent.

      Speaking ahead of Saturday’s IFAB meeting, he said: “If you want a headline, it’s the red card to blue cards. No way.“There will not be any blue cards used at elite level. This is a topic that is non existent for us. Fifa is completely opposed to blue cards.”However the idea of sin-bins still still remains a very real possibility for the beautiful game with a global trial almost certain to be approved for dissent – starting at semi-professional level.Although it isn’t clear if the sin-bins will be used for cynical fouls as had been originally suggested.The idea is set to be debated in Saturday’s meeting with a number of big name Fifa representatives set to be in attendance including Infantino and Arsene Wenger.Another topic set to be up for discussion is a push for extended VAR coverage, led by iconic ex-referee Pierluigi Collina.The proposition would see VAR be able to intervene for corners, free-kicks and second yellow cards – although it is understood to be less likely to be backed.And there has been a revision of the idea that time-wasting by goalkeepers should be punished with the award of a corner.Many have deemed this to be too harsh of a punishment and are instead proposing that the other team would be given the ball for a throw-in level with the edge of the box.READ MORE SUN STORIESIFAB are also expected to endorse two new law changes from next season.All deliberate handball offences by defensive players in their own box will be punishable with dismissal from next term, while the ball must overhang the centre of the spot for penalty kicks.Sin-bins may be used for dissent going forwardCredit: GettyThere are talks over increasing the scope of VAR interventionCredit: ReutersThe ball may have to overhang the centre of the penalty spot for spot-kicks next seasonCredit: Getty More

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      Blue cards SCRAPPED as Gianni Infantino shows controversial scheme red card… but gives go-ahead to sin bin trials

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      FIFA President Gianni Infantino said he will give the “red card to blue cards” on Saturday – but sin-bins WILL be trialled.The proposal for a third card for sin-bin offences of dissent and cynical “anti-football action” fouls caused global controversy when it emerged last month.Gianni Infantino confirmed the ‘blue card’ idea was being given the ‘red card’The idea for a blue card to be introduced is set to be scrappedCredit: AFPSpooked Law makers on the International FA Board then rowed back from a planned reveal of the idea.And world football chief Infantino, arriving for Saturday’s annual general meeting of the Ifab at Loch Lomond, officially gave the idea the thumbs down.Infantino said: “If you want a headline, it’s the red card to blue cards. No way.“There will not be any blue cards used at elite level. This is a topic that is non existent for us. FIFA is completely opposed to blue cards.”READ MORE IN FOOTBALLInfantino insisted he has been blindsided by the concept, adding: “I was not aware of this topic. We have to be serious. “You also have to protect the essence and tradition of the game. There is no blue card.”Sin-bins, though, remain on the table with a global trial almost certain to be approved for dissent – starting at semi-professional level.It is less clear, however, if the proposal for a trial of which would also see sin-bins for deliberate cynical break-stopping fouls – Fifa refs’ chief Pierluigi Collina highlighted Giorgio Chiellini’s scragging of Bukayo Saka by the back of his shirt collar in the Euro 2020 Final – will be approved.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSBlue MurderBy Martin Lipton
      IT’S a sin for football to allow cynical cheats to get away with it.
      So introducing ten-minute sin-bins would be a big step forward for the game.
      In truth, it does not matter what card the referee shows – blue, green or pink.
      What matters is that, if the trial – which will not include the Prem or EFL at this stage – is a success, then it could become part of top tier professional football by the end of the decade.
      The argument is simple: Nobody likes what Fifa refs’ chief Pierluigi Collina describes as “anti-football action”.
      That is a deliberate, cynical act to stop a potential break by fouling a rival with absolutely no attempt to play the ball.
      If teams who do that have to spend the last 10 minutes of a game a man short, they could pay a real price, rather than just picking up a yellow card and “taking one for the team”.
      Sin bins for dissent might be a tougher argument to progress, although it might just give refs some respect back.
      But having players sat by the side of the pitch, powerless as their man-short side concedes a last-gasp winner, might actually change the way players behave. And it will be a statement of intent.

      That option is likely to be the most debated at the meeting, which has four Fifa representatives including Arsene Wenger and President Infantino and one from each of the four Home Nations.But the alternative would be to mandate referees to clamp down on dissent by having to caution any player who abuses them, rather than leaving it to their discretion.Huge football rule change set to be introduced with BLUE CARD and players dumped in 10-minute sin binA push, led by Collina, for extending the scope of VAR to include corners, free-kicks and second yellow cards, is understood to be less likely to be backed.Some Ifab members are fearful that VAR is causing enough controversy as it is without adding further complications that might cause more of a backlash.And there has been a revision of the idea that time-wasting by goalkeepers – holding onto the ball for far longer than the allowed six seconds – should be punished with the award of a corner.While a stricter approach by referees is expected, perhaps with an extension of the permitted time a keeper can hold the ball to 10 seconds, that is now felt to be too much of a sanction.Instead, the other team would be given the ball for a throw-in level with the edge of the box.Ifab will also endorse two planned Law changes for next season.All deliberate handball offences by defensive players in their own box will be punishable with dismissal from next season, while the ball must overhang the centre of the spot for penalty kicks.Blue cards were set to be used to deter ‘anti-football action’ foulsCredit: AP More

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      Ex-Premier League ref reveals why Casemiro’s goal stood and Van Dijk didn’t… and says VAR is even enraging OFFICIALS

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      ONE thing is certain for this season, we’ve seen so many inconsistencies with VAR and it riles the fans, players, managers — and even us referees.In Law 11, just being in an offside position is not an offence in itself.Virgil van Dijk had a goal disallowed in the Carabao Cup final before scoring the winnerCredit: GettyCasemiro’s similar goal was allowed to stand against Nottingham ForestCredit: GettyBut does the forward become involved in active play? Interfere with the defender? Make a movement to play the ball?For Virgil van Dijk’s disallowed goal in the Carabao Cup final, Wataru Endo is in an offside position but makes no movement to play the ball.So does he become involved in active play by blocking Levi Colwill?Can Colwill challenge Van Dijk? I don’t think so.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSBut look at Burnley v Luton, where the Luton forward clearly blocks the keeper and it’s allowed.At Nottingham Forest in the FA Cup, it was exactly the same as the Van Dijk one.Another defender is between Felipe and Casemiro as he scored.People will say, in that position Rafael Varane was involved in active play because defenders knew he was there.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSBut I think both goals should have been given.Van Dijk AND Sterling have goals RULED OUT by VAR in frantic final More

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      ‘Just doing my job’ – EFL referee reveals how he dealt with star being racially abused as he’s praised for interview

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      AN EFL referee says he was “just doing my job” after revealing how he dealt with the disgusting Omar Bogle racist abuse.The disgraceful incident occurred in a League Two match on October 28 at Gillingham.Newport star Omar Bogle was racially abused during a game at Gillingham by a fanCredit: X @SkySportsNewsEFL referee Tom Reeves has opened up on how he dealt with the situationCredit: X @SkySportsNewsEFL referee Tom Reeves discusses handling an incident of racism involving Newport County striker Omar Bogle and a Gillingham supporter. pic.twitter.com/epsSL8Vu0m— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) February 29, 2024

      Bogle, 30, scored two first half penalties to earn Newport County a 2-0 victory away to the Gills.However, it was not the striker’s brace that was the main talking point from the game.After slotting home the first spot-kick, Bogle was racially abused by a Gillingham supporter as he celebrated.The fan ran over in front of him in the stands and made a monkey gesture.READ MORE ON FOOTBALLBen Burchell, 28, who has learning difficulties, admitted a charge of racially aggravated breach of public order at Medway Magistrates court.He escaped a football banning order but received 40 hours of community service and was ordered to pay £200 in compensation to Bogle after pleading guilty to racially abusing the star.Burchell was also told that he cannot attend professional football matches on his own for a period of 12 months without a carer.Tom Reeves was the referee on that day, and now the court case has been held, he has discussed his handling of the shocking incident with Sky Sports News.Most read in EFLHe revealed how it was the first time in his career he had dealt with a fan racially abusing a player but explained how he felt equipped to handle it following his training.Reeves said that “alarm bells” rang when he noticed several Newport players running over to a particular section of the home end.Shocking moment referee is CHASED OFF pitch by pitch invader in Port Vale vs Portsmouth clashHe was then informed about the racial abuse, which led to him approaching Bogle to get a statement from him and give it to his fourth official to make sure it was recorded and make the police and Gillingham safety officer aware.Reeves then said that the fan had been removed from the stadium already by the time he spoke to them, allowing the official to reassure Bogle that it was being dealt with and encourage him to work with him for the remainder of the game.Before the second penalty, Reeves also spoke with Bogle as it was in the same spot as his first.The ref said: “I didn’t want him to celebrate in front of the same group of fans because there could be potential further problems.“I just said to him to think about it if he scores, where he celebrates.”He then explained how he did not want the forward’s emotions to get the better of him as he praised the forward for “working really well” with him.Reeves went on to explain the protocol for such incidents, revealing he checked with Bogle that he was still “OK to continue” and to reassure him again just before the start of the second period.He then got full statements from Bogle and a member of Newport’s team, who on this occasion was the assistant manager, after the game.Reeves said: “The reason we do that is so I can report it to the FA for a full investigation.”Ben Burchell pleaded guilty to racially abusing the forwardOmar Bogle scored two goals during the game, both from the penalty spotCredit: GettyHe said: “We have a particular protocol in place that we follow and there’s certain steps that we go through from the moment the player lets you know about it all the way through to the full time whistle.”Reeves added: “We as referees go there to referee a game of football and don’t expect anyone to go through what Omar had to.“Actually, that night I had messages and phone calls from various people just checking up on me to make sure that I was OK.“But for me, it was ensuring Omar was OK to get through the game, I made sure my report could be reported to the FA so a full investigation could take place.“I was just doing my job, being professional as possible to ensure the game was fully under control and Omar was OK.”After Sky Sports News released the interview, fans rushed to heap praise on Reeves for how he handled the ordeal.One posted on X: “Respect to referee Tom Reeves for the brilliant interview on @SkySportsNews regarding the Newport striker Omar Bogle incident.“Handled the racism incident perfectly.”READ MORE SUN STORIESAnother wrote: “Effective refereeing when the racists are in town. Well done Tom Reeves.”And a third added: “A horrible incident handled expertly by Tom Reeves. Well done, Tom.” More

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      Former Premier League referee’s new job leaves fans baffled after BBC cameras spot him at FA Cup clash

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      FOOTBALL fans were left confused by Mark Clattenburg’s new job after he was spotted at Nottingham Forest’s clash with Manchester United.Earlier this month, the ex-Premier League referee, 48, was hired by Forest to become their “referee analyst”.Mark Clattenburg, left, sat next to PGMOL chief Howard Webb for Nottingham Forest’s clash with Manchester UnitedCredit: BBCClattenburg has been hired as Forest’s ‘referee analyst’Credit: GettyIt came as they watched decisions go against them in games against Newcastle and West Ham.Clattenburg, who refereed in the Premier League from 2004 to 2017, was in the stands for Forest’s 1-0 defeat to Man Utd on Wednesday evening.And he was sat alongside PGMOL chief Howard Webb as he took in the match.But when his job title flashed up on the screen – “Referee Analyst, Nottingham Forest” – many took to social media to joke about the baffling role he has undertaken.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLOne said: “Why on earth have Nottingham Forest hired Mark Clattenburg as a ‘Referee Analyst’?😂😂😂”Another added: “That should be unacceptable.”While a third replied: “Can we all talk about how Forest have hired Clattenburg and there [he] was tonight sitting beside the chief referee Howard Webb, absolutely mental 😂.”And a fourth joked: “Clattenburg would be more use on set pieces 😗.”Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSClattenburg refereed 297 Premier League games across a 13-year period.He also took charge of the 2016 Champions League final and the Euro 2016 final between Portugal and France.Eight bizarre football rules you may not knowHe has recently been the lead referee in BBC TV show Gladiators.The classic series, which originally aired on ITV from 1992 to 2000, made a comeback earlier this year. More