Mark Clattenburg admits he inflicted penalty in Champions League final to ‘restore balance’
Former Premier League referee Mark Clattenburg has admitted to passing a penalty in a Champions League final to ‘restore the balance’ after an earlier decision.
The 46-year-old was the man in the middle during the 2016 clash between Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid at San Siro.
More than five years later, he claims Diego Simeone’s side were kicked after wrongly allowing an offside goal from Sergio Ramos.
Speaking on the podcast of the Brazilian jersey’s name, he said: “When the ball is delivered from the free kick I knew there was a touch of Gareth Bale in the middle, which then put Ramos, who scored the goal.
“I spoke to the assistant (Simon Beck) and it was very difficult because of the noise. But I’m screaming into the earpiece, saying, “Do you know there was a touch in the middle?” “
“He just froze and I could see him staring at the big screen. I yell at him, and restart the game, and he’s completely frozen. When you look back it’s a tough decision to make of course, but I would expect my assistant to make.
(Image: UEFA via Getty Images)
“I was very lucky in this final. Two or three minutes after half-time, I’m really penalized 50/50. (Fernando) Torres was very smart in getting ahead of Pepe for a foul. Is it a fault? It is very subjective.
“It’s a subject you wouldn’t want to settle the game on, for sure. And I gave it because it restores balance. It was one of those perfect refereeing scenarios.
Antoine Griezmann stepped forward to take the next penalty but smashed it against the crossbar.
Clattenburg admits he was relieved by the way the whole situation turned out.
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He said, “I just thought, ‘Wow, this is my day. It’s the perfect day for arbitration. I’m like, “Now they can’t blame me anymore. “
Atletico Madrid finally pulled out a goal, while Yannick Carrasco equalized in the 79e minute, bringing the game into overtime.
The final ended with a penalty shootout, with Real Madrid winning over city rivals.