Clattenburg becomes new Head of Officiating in Greece

Famous English referee Mark Clattenburg, who oversaw the final of UEFA Euro 2016 in France, is the new Head of Officiating of the Hellenic Football Federation (EPO).

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There is a new refereeing chief in Greece. On Friday, representatives of AEK, Olympiacos, Panathinaikos and PAOK unanimously voted in favour of Clattenburg replacing the unpopular Vitor Melo Pereira as the Head of Officiating in the EPO, with the experienced 45-year-old set to arrive in Greece next week to sign his contract with the organisation. This consequently means that Clattenburg is bringing his career as a professional referee to an end.

During his days as a referee, Clattenburg was the man in the middle for decisive games such as the finals of Euro 2016, the 2012 Olympic Games, the 2015/2016 UEFA Champions League and the 2014 UEFA Super Cup. He had been officiating matches in China until the coronavirus pandemic halted the league.

“The time is right to quit refereeing,” stated Clattenburg when speaking to the English press. “At 45 it becomes a different challenge mentally. Now, I want to start looking at the education and management side of refereeing.”

Clattenburg will be granted permission to choose his colleagues in the Refereeing Department of the EPO. One of them will deal with the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system.

The papers will be signed during a meeting between the president of the EPO, Evangelos Grammenos, and Clattenburg in the Greek capital.

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