“I was petrified of him ” – Ex-Premier League referee confesses to REVERSING decision ‘out of fear’ of Man United legend Roy Keane

Roy Keane was regarded as one of the scariest players in the league, which included brawls with rivals and clashes with officials.

“I was petrified of him ” – Ex-Premier League referee confesses to REVERSING decision ‘out of fear’ of Man United legend Roy Keane

Roy Keane argues with a referee (Image via SPORTbible)

Mark Clattenburg is one of the most well-known referees in the Premier League. Debuting in the PL in 2004, he refereed in the top flight for 13 years before leaving the Professional Game Match Official Limited. Now he works as a referee in the TV Show Gladiators, where his popularity has increased. 

With many referees under fire from fans in the past few months due to terrible on-field and VAR calls, the PGMOL also revealed the few mistakes they had made so far in the season. And these came to light once again in an old podcast which had Clattenburg. 

YouTube video

In the podcast, Men in Blazers, he spoke about how he used to be scared of former Manchester United captain, Roy Keane. He revealed how he used to call in favor of the Red Devils out of fear of Keane’s outbursts.

FS Video
Even in the Premier League, I still smile at the first time I came across Roy Keane. 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.
Mark Clattenburg to Men in Blazers

Clattenburg left the Premier League in 2017 to work in the Saudi Arabian Football Federation as the director of Football. In 2019 he went to China to work as a referee. Three years later he worked as the President of the Egyptian referee body, but left after threats from a club’s president. 

Roy Keane once took team out of tunnel without referee’s permission 

Roy Keane was known as the bad boy of English football. A ferocious footballer, who didn’t hold back in each tackle, was often in battles with officials and rivals. One of those clashes occurred in 2004 when Manchester United went to the Monileux to play Wolverhampton Wanderers. 

Roy Keane
Roy Keane leads the team outside the tunnel (Images via Transfer Daily)

Standing in the tunnel during half-time, Keane wanted to get on the field as soon as possible. With the referee holding both sides in, the Irishman got frustrated and just exited. His team followed him, with the officials confused as to how he was going. Paul Ince, the Wolves Captain, tried doing the same, but was stopped by the referees. United ended up losing the match 1-0. 

Keane retired from the sport in 2006, after a short stint at Scottish club Celtic. He now works as a pundit with Sky Sports. The midfielder also worked as a manager/assistant manager at Sunderland, Ipswich Town, Republic of Ireland, Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest. 

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