Former Premier League referee Mark Clattenburg has seen it all, from Champions League finals to handling the world’s biggest football stars under immense pressure. But behind the badge is a story shaped by survival, scrutiny, and sacrifice.
In this episode, Mark opens up about the mental toll of refereeing, the loneliness that comes with the job, and the weight of every decision made under the glare of millions. He reflects on his journey from a tough childhood to managing the chaos of modern football, both on the pitch and online.
He also shares the reality of dealing with abuse, the pressure from media and fans, and how he built trust with players to take control of the game without backing down.
This is powerful insight into the pressure, psychology, and resilience needed to thrive in one of football’s toughest roles.
Mark's new podcast 'Whistleblowers' is out now.
🚨 Partners
FORA Claim a free day pass at any Fora workspace and find the perfect home for your business here: https://highpfrmc.com/fora
Heights 👉 Get 20% off your subscription by using Code: HP20 here: https://highpfrmc.com/heights1
Tide 👉 Free £50? Just spend £100 on your Tide card to get it. Use HP50 here: https://highpfrmc.com/tidehp50
HP Foundation 👉Do you want to kick-start an evolution that will change the lives of millions of children? Find out more about the High Performance Foundation: https://hppod.co/foundation
HP Corporate Events 👉Click here to book High Performance Events: https://hppod.co/corporate-events
Explore offers and discounts through our other partners:
https://hppod.co/partners