Premier League Referee Suspended For Attending Ed Sheeran Concert

Some things are worth being suspended from your job for a week, and for English Premier League referee Mark Clattenburg, those things include attending an Ed Sheeran concert.

According to a report from The Telegraph, Mark Clattenburg drove himself alone to Saturday's 2-2 draw between West Brom and Crystal Palace, which he was in charge of. That's a big Premier League no-no, whose rules require that referees and assistants travel to and from games together for "integrity and security" purposes. The reason Clattenburg broke the rule? So that he could get to the Metro Radio Arena in Newcastle in time to see Sheeran perform. This guy:

If you don't recognize this Ron Weasley lookalike's face, you've probably heard his voice singing the top 10 Billboard hit Don't:

Despite this story's goofiness, there are potentially serious implications. Clattenburg reportedly talked to Crystal Palace manager Neil Warnock on the phone on the way to the concert—something he's not supposed to do—about calls during the game that Warnock was unhappy with.

While Clattenburg is one of the Premier League's best referees, he's also one of its most controversial. In 2009 he was banned for life after allegations were made about his private life and personal debts. That suspension was reduced to eight months on appeal, but still. The guy that received an eight-month suspension in-part because of personal debts—which makes him prey for gamblers looking to fix games—probably shouldn't be doing things that bring his judgement into question, especially not just to get to a fucking Ed Sheeran concert on time.

[ The Telegraph]

Photos via Getty