Tottenham Hostpur fans may be fuming after Mark Clattenburg recently revealed he allowed them to self-destruct in their 2-2 draw with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge two seasons ago, when they were close to winning the title, as will some Chelsea fans as well who take offense to the comments that seemed to insinuate they were helped by the referee, but he has rectified those comments, insisting he said it the wrong way.
Spurs were closely in the hunt for the title against a surprisingly consistent Leicester City, who won the title in incredible circumstances after the ‘battle of the bridge’.
With minutes to end the game, Eden Hzard stepped up to inflict pain on Spurs players and fans with an equalizer that cemented Leicester’s position as top flight winners. At the center of the game was Clattenburg who showed nine yellow cards to Spurs players, and was recently quoted as saying he didn’t show any red cards and allowed Spurs to self-destruct.
But he has returned to clarify those words, insisting now he only wanted to stay off how the game played out.
“I probably said it in the wrong way. One thing I certainly don’t want to do is be the centre of attention. Tottenham self-destructed when Chelsea equalised. When Tottenham lost their discipline in the last few minutes, it was an opportunity for me to say: ‘OK, the game is finished, do I want to be the centre of attention?’
Tottenham drew the match which meant they had lost the title. I always said my gameplan was not to be the centre of attention, not to cost anybody the title and not to influence the result.”
Mark Clattenburg, BBC
