Although the criticism regarding the transition of players from European clubs to the Saudi Roshan League has quieted down, it has now shifted towards match referees. The British newspaper "The Times" claimed that Saudi football officials are currently targeting the recruitment of several European referees, particularly from the English league.
Mark Clattenburg, a former Premier League referee and former head of the referees' committee in the Saudi league, has warned his colleagues against making the move to Saudi Arabia. Clattenburg stated in his remarks to "The Times": "My objection to the recruitment of certain referees from Europe to work in Saudi Arabia stems from my inability to imagine someone leaving their role in the Champions League, Euro, or World Cup. Only those at the end of their careers would do that."
He continued: "I worked in Saudi Arabia before, believing it would not hinder my officiating in the World Cup or any of the European tournaments, but both FIFA and UEFA insisted that I be treated as a Saudi referee and that I would take a position meant for a European referee!"
It is noteworthy that the former English international officiated in Saudi Arabia from February 2017 until October 2018.
