Referee Mark Clattenburg faces probe over conflict of interest after signing for agency who represent Premier League players

Premier League referee Mark Clattenburg who is no stranger to controversy has found himself in the mix yet again after a picture of him signing a deal with an agency that represents footballers surfaced on social media.
The Englishman who was embroiled in a racist comment controversy with Chelsea's John Obi Mikel in a 2012 game vs Manchester United will however be given a chance to explain why he has created a what could turn out to be a conflict of interest by signing up with a football agency who represent Premier League players.

His 'crime' is that he agreed to let Neil Saxton at Catalyst4Soccer look after his off-field affairs, something that is not necessarily against the premier league refereeing rule as nothing prevents them from carrying out extra work outside of their most known job. However, the rule states that they must get permission from the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) chief Mike Riley. Something he reportedly made sure of.

According to reports, clattenburg who oversaw the Manchester City vs Tottenham game last weekend, told Riley that he knew someone who would be able to represent him in managing off-field opportunities, such as after-dinner speaking or charity work, but Riley was unaware that the agency also looked after lots of players.

PGMOL also make it clear to their referees that Riley must meet the agency before any deal is agreed, but Clattenburg signed a contract with them before this had happened.

It has since incensed both fans and the refereeing body after C4S tweeted a picture of Clattenburg signing his deal with them last Friday and announcing it as a ‘new signing.’ The first picture on C4S’s website on Tuesday morning boasted that he is one of their clients and pictures the 40-year-old speaking to Lionel Messi.

Do you think referees should be allowed to sign deals with such agencies?