Gladiators' Mark Clattenburg on the WILDEST Football Scandals, Egos & Reffing the Biggest Stars

Video Description

Former Premier League referee Mark Clattenburg has seen it all, from Champions League finals to handling the world’s biggest football stars under immense pressure. But behind the badge is a story shaped by survival, scrutiny, and sacrifice. In this episode, Mark opens up about the mental toll of refereeing, the loneliness that comes with the job, and the weight of every decision made under the glare of millions. He reflects on his journey from a tough childhood to managing the chaos of modern football, both on the pitch and online. He also shares the reality of dealing with abuse, the pressure from media and fans, and how he built trust with players to take control of the game without backing down. This is powerful insight into the pressure, psychology, and resilience needed to thrive in one of football’s toughest roles. Mark's new podcast 'Whistleblowers' is out now. 🚨 Partners Heights 👉 Get 20% off your subscription by using Code: HP20 here: https://highpfrmc.com/heights20 Tide 👉 Free £50? Just spend £100 on your Tide card to get it. Use HP50 here: https://highpfrmc.com/tide50 HP Foundation 👉Do you want to kick-start an evolution that will change the lives of millions of children? Find out more about the High Performance Foundation: https://hppod.co/foundation HP Corporate Events 👉Click here to book High Performance Events: https://hppod.co/corporate-events Explore offers and discounts through our other partners: https://hppod.co/partners 📕 Chapters 00:00 – Introduction 00:52 – The Pressure of Being a Referee 03:24 – VAR & Refereeing Mistakes 11:48 – Scrutiny, Mistakes & Hate Mail 15:02 – Chelsea Racism Allegation & Airport Escape 24:20 – Taking His Life & What Kept Him Going 30:23 – Social Media & Betrayal by Friends 33:43 – Jürgen Klopp, Liverpool, Man United Bias 39:35 – Clashes with Craig Bellamy 42:34 – Job Insecurity as a Referee 53:37 – UEFA Politics & Missed Opportunities 59:23 – FA Cup Final Regret 1:04:38 – Champions League Final Aftermath 1:16:49 – Dangerous Incidents: Fireworks on the Pitch 1:26:06 – UEFA Fallout in Malmö vs Atlético Madrid 1:29:31 – Tunnel Clash at Real Madrid 1:38:17 – Reffing Ronaldo vs Messi 1:43:57 – TikTok, Influencers & the Future of Sport 1:49:59 – Rule Changes, VAR & David Beckham #HighPerformance #football #chelseafc