Footballers in Warwick’s best 6aside league got a shock the other week when the world’s most famous referee was the man in the middle for their game.
The match between Real Ale Madrid and Earth, Wind And Maguire was set to be a usual affair at the community 6 a side league – but turned out to be anything but.
The first half saw a new referee induction, checking boots, calling for VAR and disallowing goals for offside – before the curly haired imposter pulled off his wig and mask at the change of ends and revealed himself to be Mark Clattenburg.
The fact that he’d swapped the Premier League, Champions League and World Cup for Aylesford School in Warwick shocked the players of both teams, one of whom said: “I never realised at all, I had no idea what was going on!”
Another of the protagonists admitted he was amazed to be working with that standard of official saying: “I find it incredible that I’ve been refereed by more Premier League referees that West Brom this season!”
The football in the second half lived up to the world’s best referee overseeing it, with goal after goal raining in as a pulsating match ended 4-4.
Such matches highlight a greater truth, too as Clattenburg is Leisure Leagues’ Referee Ambassador and officials at all our leagues can join the former Euros Finalist Referee at the 6 a side World Cup if they impress, as Head Referee Martin Cassidy – a former top flight official himself – explained: “We are proud to be the only 6 a side provider that can offer a pathway to world events to all our officials”.
Leisure Leagues supply all the referees to the ISF, the governing body behind the World Cup and 6 a side Champions League amongst other events – with Martin adding: “These are absolute top draw competitions and some of our referees will be there.”
To watch the action from the incredible Undercover Clattenburg event check out the video below and to join as a referee, click here:
To be a part of the Warwick league, hit this link
