Former Premier League referee Mark Clattenburg is forced to FLEE Egypt over concerns for his safety

Mark Clattenburg has left his job as head of Egypt‘s refereeing committee over safety concerns, after reportedly receiving threats from Zamalek supporters and personal attacks from the club’s president.

The former Premier League referee took up the role in Egypt last August, where he was tasked with boosting the performance of the officials in the nation.

Clattenburg has been heavily criticised by Mortada Mansour, the president of Zamalek Sporting Club, the 14-time record winners of the Egyptian Premier League.

Former Premier League referee Mark Clattenburg has fled Egypt over safety concerns

The Egyptian FA confirmed Clattenburg’s resignation but played down safety concerns

Mansour criticised Clattenburg’s role within Egyptian football, according to the Sun.

The Zamalek President also make allegations about the personal life of Clattenburg, who is understood to be estranged from his wife.

Mansour had  incorrectly claimed he had left his wife to start a gay relationship.

The 47-year-old has reportedly faced threats from the club’s supporters, prompting his departure.

Zamalek’s President incorrectly claimed Clattenburg had begun a gay relationship, with the ex-ref understood to be estranged from his wife, pictured here in 2015

Clattenburg also had concerns his refereeing appointments were being changed by the league, while he struggled to persuade foreign officials to travel to the nation to oversee big matches.

The former referee had reportedly not been paid two months of his £32,000-a-month salary.

The Egyptian Football Association confirmed Clattenburg has resigned from his post, but the organisation says his exit still need to be ratified.

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Mark Clattenburg oversaw the 2016 Champions League final as one of Europe’s top officials

‘England’s Mark Clattenburg, head of the Referees Committee of the Egyptian Football Association, resigned from his post on Tuesday evening,’ a statement read.

‘The Board of Directors of the Egyptian Football Association will hold an emergency meeting on Wednesday, to decide on Clattenburg’s resignation.

Egyptian newspaper Al-Ahram reported that the Egyptian FA were ‘surprised’ by Clattenburg’s resignation.

The organisation denied refereeing appointments had been changed and said it would ‘support his return’.

The FA also claimed concerns over his safety were ‘an exaggeration’, labelling the country as the ‘safest in the world’.

Clattenburg has held multiple roles abroad since stepping down as a Premier League referee in 2017.

He initially took over as head of refereeing in Saudi Arabia, a role previously held by Howard Webb.

Clattenburg had the logos for the Champions League and Euro 2016 inked on to his arm

Clattenburg has since worked in China and Greece, before taking up the position in Egypt.

The former referee had been viewed as one of Europe’s top officials during his career, reflected in him overseeing the Champions League and European Championship finals in 2016.

Clattenburg commemorated the achievements with a pair of tattoos, including having the Champions League trophy etched on to his left wrist with the words Final Milano 2016 written beneath.

The tattoo to commemorate the showpiece game between Madrid rivals Real and Atletico, which the former won on penalties after a 1-1 draw. 

He also had the Euro 2016 tournament’s logo tattooed on his left bicep to mark the second final, where Portugal beat France 1-0 after extra-time.