Legendary Premier League Referee Names Mikel Obi Among Five Most Annoying Players to Match-Officials
- Mark Clattenburg has named five players most annoying players to match officials including former Chelsea midfielder Mikel Obi
- Clattenburg retired from officiating in 2017, but he remains an iconic referee having been in charge of 576 matches
- Among the referee’s most annoying players are Portuguese sensation Pepe whom he claims was always difficult
A retired English referee Mark Clattenburg who officiated 576 football matches in his career has named five most annoying players which include Nigeria’s Mikel Obi and Portuguese defender Pepe, SPORTbible.
Clattenburg who remains an iconic official took charge of big matches between 2004 and 2017 including the Champions League and Euro 2016 finals, stated that the job was not easy.
The 46-year-old officiated some of the most historical football matches and with experience, he says while he enjoys the relationship with players, some of them are annoying.
Source: Getty Images
In a chat with UK outlet Daily Mail via GiveMeSport, Clattenburg named his top five most annoying players and mentioned Mikel who had a stint with Chelsea.
PAY ATTENTION: Join Legit.ng Telegram channel! Never miss important updates!
The official was cleared of doing anything wrong and the lack of an apology from the Nigerian landed him on the list.
Another moment of huge note during his career was when Clattenburg was accused of making a racist comment by John Obi Mikel.
"He has never apologised and that is disappointing because it could have ruined my life.
"I fell out of love with refereeing for a while after that but couldn't quit because I had a family to support and no other career to pursue.
"It all left a bad feeling that still lingers today."
Other players named by the former referee are;
1. Portugal defender Pepe
2. Craig Bellamy
3. Roy Keane
4. Goalkeeper Jens Lehmann
5. John Obi Mikel
Clattenburg reveals why he won’t forgive Mikel
Meanwhile, Clattenburg, has disclosed that he cannot forgive ex-Chelsea defensive midfielder Mikel Obi and the club over racist comments.
Nine years after the incident, the ex-Premier League official stated that the allegation almost ruined his career and he does not have time for the former Super Eagles captain.
Clattenburg officiated matches at the highest level in England for 13 years and was named among the best European referees, but one dark incident occurred during a Chelsea vs Manchester United match.
Kuwait SC terminate Mikel Obi’s contract
Legit.ng earlier reported that Kuwait Sporting Club have announced that their contract with former Nigerian international, Mikel Obi has been terminated.
The club, via their official media account, made the disclosure on Thursday that they have parted ways with the former Super Eagles captain who joined them about four months ago.
The mouthwatering $4million worth of two-year contract Mikel John Obi signed with Kuwait SC has been cancelled by the club management.
Source: Legit.ng
