Clatts: I was so scared of Keane I changed my mind

Joe Williams

Mark Clattenburg has revealed that he once changed his mind over a decision because he was so “petrified” of Manchester United captain Roy Keane.

The former Premier League referee this week told the Men In Blazers podcast that he wanted Tottenham to “self destruct” in the bad-tempered title crunch with Chelsea in 2016.

Tottenham proceeded to miss out on the Premier League title in the 2015/16 season after drawing 2-2 in a game where a record nine Spurs players were booked.

He yesterday defended his comments, claiming they were “taken out of context”.

But, from the same podcast he also revealed how he felt as a young referee coming up against United general Keane.

“Even in the Premier League, I still smile at the first time I came across Roy Keane,” said Clattenburg.

“He screamed at us for a corner and I’m sure it was a goal kick but because he screamed at us so loudly, I gave a corner. I was that petrified of him.”

Clattenburg also revealed how hard he found officiating, when he was making his way in the game.

“I probably lacked man management,” he said. “I didn’t have management experience because I was still a young boy.

“I hadn’t had that employment background. I didn’t have any experience of dealing with people, managing people, saying the right thing at the right time.

“It’s only when I got older that I started to develop those skills. When you have those skills, you interact with adults better, players better.

“If you interact with players, they make your life easier. When they make your life easier, you become a good referee.”