Mark Clattenburg, a prominent Premier League referee for over 13 years, has lifted the lid on the five most annoying players he encountered during his illustrious career. Clattenburg, who also officiated European Championship and Champions League finals before departing England in early 2017 to become Saudi Arabia’s Head of Refereeing, offered a candid insight into the personalities that tested his patience on the pitch.
The list of challenging characters includes some of football’s most memorable figures: Craig Bellamy, Roy Keane, Pepe, John Obi Mikel, and Jens Lehmann.
Lehmann’s constant ‘whinging’ a weakness
Perhaps the most detailed account was reserved for former Arsenal goalkeeper Jens Lehmann. Clattenburg described the German international as relentlessly irritable.
“He was just so irritable and never stopped, one of those miserable blokes who would whinge about everything and everyone,” Clattenburg stated. “If the ball was round, he would whinge. If the ball was white, he would whinge. You would think, ‘Just give it a rest’.”
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Clattenburg believed Lehmann’s constant complaining was a tactical weakness that opposing teams frequently exploited. “He was a great goalkeeper but I honestly think this was a weakness in him and other teams identified that,” he added. “They would stand on his toes at corners and he would react by pushing them. He would do snidey, little things himself that made it difficult, and I didn’t enjoy refereeing him at all. He was erratic and his antics were not easy to deal with.”
Lehmann’s Premier League career spanned 148 appearances, during which he conceded 125 goals and kept 55 clean sheets, receiving 12 yellow cards but no reds, according to Transfermarkt statistics.
Other challenging personalities
Another player Clattenburg found particularly difficult was Craig Bellamy, whom he labelled a “nightmare” to referee. Bellamy was known for his fiery temperament and relentless energy, often engaging in confrontations with opponents and officials alike.
Former Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel also made the list. During his 249 Premier League appearances, Mikel registered modest attacking returns but was a consistent presence in midfield, accumulating 38 yellow cards and two red cards, alongside one goal and 11 assists, as per Transfermarkt.
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The list is completed by two other notoriously combative players: former Manchester United captain Roy Keane, renowned for his fierce leadership and aggressive style, and Pepe, the Portuguese defender celebrated and reviled for his uncompromising and often controversial approach to the game.
The revelations, reported by the Daily Mail, offer a rare glimpse into the often-strained relationship between referees and the players they officiate, highlighting the unique challenges faced by officials in the heat of top-flight football.
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