Mark Clattenburg launches scathing attack of "damaging" VAR at Sidemen match

09 September 2023 , 14:26

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Mark Clattenburg has slammed VAR (Image: Getty Images)

Mark Clattenburg insisted VAR "damages everything" ahead of the Sidemen charity match - putting more pressure on PGMOL.

VAR has faced criticism since it was introduced by the Premier League in 2019, with many fans calling for it to be scrapped. PGMOL chief Howard Webb has often been forced to apologise for mistakes made by VAR officials and on-field referees.

Webb and his colleagues were recently placed under huge pressure when former VAR official Mike Dean admitted he purposely failed to correct an on-field error to stop referee Anthony Taylor from getting "more grief". Dean no longer works for PGMOL.

Now Clattenburg, who refereed the Euro 2016 final, has added more pressure on PGMOL by making a brutal comment ahead of the Sidemen charity match. The game involving YouTubers took place at West Ham's London Stadium on Saturday.

Clattenburg, who ended his Premier League career in 2017, refereed the charity match. He was asked before the game if VAR is in use and replied: "No, we don't need it! It's not going to damage this game like it damages everything else."

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Clattenburg didn't laugh after making the comment, suggesting it wasn't just as joke. The dig will be a blow for PGMOL, which stands for Professional Game Match Officials Limited, as he's one of the most respected referees of his generation.

As well as the Euro 2016 final, Clattenburg also took charge of the 2016 Champions League final, the 2014 European Super Cup final, the 2012 men's Olympics final, the 2016 FA Cup final, the 2012 League Cup final and the 2013 Community Shield.

Clattenburg made the dig before the Sidemen charity match (YouTube/Sidemen)

What do you make of Mark Clattenburg's dig? Let us know in the comments below!

It's not the first time Clattenburg has criticised VAR. He told the No Tippy Tippy Football podcast in February: "VAR has caused a big problem. It happened to me when I went to China, I started not refereeing, and I actually relied on the VAR.

"For the first month I felt like I was going to quit. I thought, what am I doing? I’ve lost my core ability to make a decision. As a referee you make split second decisions and I was so comfortable at doing it. I’d made lots of decisions in the Premier League and I didn’t need VAR - well I could’ve needed it sometimes, but not to the amount that they’re using it now."

Clattenburg added: "When I see these referees now week in, week out, there is a fear, and they’re scared to make a decision. The problem is when you’re scared to make a decision you don’t make one, and then the VAR doesn’t make one either."

Tom Blow