Former Premier League referee Mark Clattenburg has come clean about one of the most controversial matches of his officiating career — the fiery 2007 Merseyside derby between Everton and Liverpool. In a candid interview, Clattenburg admitted he “completely got it wrong,” shedding light on decisions that sparked outrage among Everton fans and left a lasting impact on his career.
A Derby to Forget: Clattenburg’s Misjudgment
Back in October 2007, the tension at Goodison Park was palpable as Everton hosted fierce rivals Liverpool in what turned out to be a highly contentious derby. Clattenburg, then only a year into his Premier League refereeing career, made several key decisions that tilted the game in Liverpool’s favour — decisions that he now openly regrets.
The match saw Everton reduced to nine men, with Tony Hibbert and Phil Neville both sent off. Hibbert’s red card, upgraded from a yellow after a brief interaction with Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard, sparked immediate controversy. To make matters worse for Everton, Liverpool were awarded two penalties.
However, the most talked-about moment came late in the match when Clattenburg refused to award a penalty after Jamie Carragher visibly hauled down Joleon Lescott in the box — a decision Clattenburg now admits was a glaring error.
Moyes’ Fury and FA Fallout
Former Everton manager David Moyes didn’t hold back in his post-match criticism. He questioned Clattenburg’s impartiality, referencing the referee’s participation in a Liverpool pre-season tour in Hong Kong. “Maybe he wants to be their friend,” Moyes said — a comment that led to an FA charge, though he was eventually let off with a warning.
The Football Association’s response was telling. While Moyes avoided punishment, Clattenburg found himself quietly removed from officiating Everton matches for six years, a move that suggested a tacit acknowledgment of his errors that day.
Clattenburg Reflects: “I Lost Control”
Now years removed from the incident, Clattenburg reflected on the derby during an appearance on the Whistleblowerspodcast by Daily Mail Sport. He admitted that he wasn’t prepared for the intensity of the fixture, despite having already officiated high-profile matches like the Manchester derby and the North London clash.
“It was ferocious — a working-class derby. I got it completely wrong,” he said. Clattenburg described how he struggled to manage the emotional charge of the game, losing his composure and, ultimately, control of the match.
“I sent off two players, gave Liverpool two penalties, and missed a clear one for Everton. In the eyes of Everton, I made three huge mistakes,” he confessed.
Lasting Legacy and Lessons Learned
The backlash was swift and severe. Clattenburg revealed that he received death threats from furious Everton fans and did not officiate another Everton game until years later. Despite redeeming himself in subsequent matches — including overseeing David Moyes’ last game in charge of Everton, a 4–0 win over Manchester City — the shadow of that 2007 derby still looms large.
“People only remember that one moment,” Clattenburg said. “Football fans never forgive you. It doesn’t matter how many good decisions you make afterwards.”
