Whistle Blower

The outspoken and hard-hitting autobiography of one of the most highly-rated, recognisable and controversial football referees of modern times.

Mark Clattenburg found himself in the centre circle, whistle in hand, at the start of 450 Premier League matches during a highly eventful 13-year career in football's top flight.

He has shaken hands with, issued red and yellow cards to, and been sworn at by hundreds of players. He has been screamed at and shared jokes with dozens and dozens of managers. And he's felt the wrath of thousands upon thousands of irate fans.

His autobiography is the ultimate guide to what it's really like to be in the referee's spotlight. It offers numerous intriguing insights into the daily trials and tribulations, the acute stresses and strains, of a top-flight referee. Clattenburg takes the reader into the referee's room, the players' tunnel and out on the pitch to experience precisely what a referee goes through on match day.

Born in County Durham in 1975, Mark Clattenburg is one of the most highly-rated and recognisable football referees of modern times.

He started officiating in the Premier League in 2004 and over the course of the next thirteen season he took charge of very nearly 300 games in the top flight.

During his career he refereed the 2012 League Cup final and Olympic Men's final, and in 2016 the finals of the FA Cup, the Champions League and the European Championships.

In 2017 Clattenburg left the UK to take up a role as Head of Refereeing for the Saudi Arabian Football Federation, and in 2019 he became a referee for the Chinese Football Association. He is currently Head of Officiating for the Greek Football Federation.

The outspoken and hard-hitting autobiography of one of the most highly-rated, recognisable and controversial football referees of modern times. Mark Clattenburg found himself in the centre circle, whistle in hand, at the start of 450 Premier League matches during a highly eventful 13-year career in football's top flight. He has shaken hands with, issued red and yellow cards to, and been sworn at by hundreds of players. He has been screamed at and shared jokes with dozens and dozens of managers. And he's felt the wrath of thousands upon thousands of irate fans.His autobiography is the ultimate guide to what it's really like to be in the referee's spotlight. It offers numerous intriguing insights into the daily trials and tribulations, the acute stresses and strains, of a top-flight referee. Clattenburg takes the reader into the referee's room, the players' tunnel and out on the pitch to experience precisely what a referee goes through on match day.

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