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Mark Clattenburg admits his part in Leicester City’s title win

By James Lassey

LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 02: Referee Mark Clattenburg shows a yellow card to John Mikel Obi of Chelsea during the Barclays Premier League match between Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur at Stamford Bridge on May 02, 2016 in London, England.jd (Photo by Ian Walton/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 02: Referee Mark Clattenburg shows a yellow card to John Mikel Obi of Chelsea during the Barclays Premier League match between Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur at Stamford Bridge on May 02, 2016 in London, England.jd (Photo by Ian Walton/Getty Images) /
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Former Premier League referee Mark Clattenburg has confessed to the part he played in Leicester City’s spectacular 2015/16 Premier League title win.

Tottenham Hotspur who were chasing City for the title let a 2-0 lead over Chelsea slip to 2-2 in a game officiated by Clattenburg which led to Claudio Ranieri’s side being named Champions.

Spurs had to win to keep their title hopes alive however the match turned into a heated contest. The game ended with both clubs receiving fines for failing to control their players and with no more than nine of Mauricio Pochettino’s Tottenham finishing the clash with cautions.

It was Eden Hazard’s equaliser in the score draw that will be remembered as one of the most important goals in Leicester City’s history. The goal sparked celebrations throughout the Leicester squad who were watching live on television.

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Clattenburg who is now the head of referees in Saudi Arabia has said he avoided sending anyone off as he did not want the reason for Tottenham’s collapse to be put on him.

"“I allowed them [Tottenham] to self-destruct so all the media, all the people in the world went: ‘Tottenham lost the title,’” Clattenburg told NBC’s Men in Blazers podcast.“If I sent three players off from Tottenham, what are the headlines? ‘Clattenburg cost Tottenham the title.’ “It was pure theatre that Tottenham self-destructed against Chelsea and Leicester won the title.”"

WEST BROMWICH, ENGLAND – APRIL 29: Mark Clattenburg speaks with Danny Drinkwater of Leicester City during the Premier League match between West Bromwich Albion and Leicester City at The Hawthorns on April 29, 2017 in West Bromwich, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
WEST BROMWICH, ENGLAND – APRIL 29: Mark Clattenburg speaks with Danny Drinkwater of Leicester City during the Premier League match between West Bromwich Albion and Leicester City at The Hawthorns on April 29, 2017 in West Bromwich, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images) /

Spurs midfielder Mousa Dembele faced a six-match-ban from the Football Association for gouging at then Chelsea striker Diego Costa’s  eyes, the incident went unpunished on the night.

Fellow Tottenham team-mates Jan Vertonghen and Eric Dier were also lucky to stay on the pitch following late a succession of late challenges.

Although Clattenburg believes it was his lenient refereeing that ended up benefiting the match.

"“I helped the game,” Clattenburg added. “I certainly benefited the game by my style of refereeing.“Some referees would have played by the book; Tottenham would have been down to seven or eight players and probably lost and they would’ve been looking for an excuse.“But I didn’t give them an excuse, because my gameplan was: let them lose the title.”"

Clattenburg has officiated nine of Leicester City matches distributing 23 yellow cards and no dismissals in a record that has seen the Foxes win six, draw two and lose one. The last game he oversaw was Leicester’s 1-0 away win over West Brom last April.

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