Focus on European Championship final referee Mark Clattenburg

10 July 2016 23:23

Mark Clattenburg took charge of Portugal's 1-0 win against France in the European Championship final in Paris and completed a remarkable seven weeks having already refereed both the FA Cup and Champions League finals.

Here, Press Association Sport analyses how things went for the County Durham-born Premier League official.

Eighth minute: Dimitri Payet's challenge on Ronaldo leaves the Portuguese prone on the floor, but Clattenburg allows play to continue. Ronaldo requires treatment, but so far the referee has made every attempt to let the game flow.

17: Ronaldo requires further treatment and it looks like his involvement is over. TV replays appear to show Clattenburg may have got that decision wrong as the Portugal forward jarred his knee under Payet's late and robust challenge.

24: The game is up for Ronaldo. He signals to the bench and Clattenburg halts play before signalling for a stretcher.

33: Jose Fonte nudges Bacary Sagna in the back in a chase for the ball near the corner flag. Clattenburg is right up with play and opts to award a goal kick. Common sense prevails.

34: Clattenburg has no option but to show Portugal's Cedric Soares the game's first yellow card for the defender's crude challenge on Payet. Correct decision.

45+3: The referee, barring his debatable decision over the Ronaldo incident, has done little wrong at the end of a tame first half overshadowed by the Portugal captain's early exit.

52: Awards France a free-kick for a late tackle on Moussa Sissoko. Minimal fuss from Clattenburg but another correct decision.

62: Clattenburg hands another yellow card to Portugal for Joao Mario's cynical trip on Olivier Giroud in France's half.

69: Joao Mario can have no complaints after he is penalised for a needless push on Sissoko.

73: Opts not to penalise Sissoko for shoulder barge on Renato Sanches and angers Portuguese bench for awarding France a foul for Nani's strong challenge on Sissoko. Clattenburg's first contentious decision.

80: As the tension mounts France centre-half Samuel Umtiti is correctly booked for his impatient lunge on Joao Mario.

85: Clattenburg is whistled by nervous French fans for awarding Portugal a free-kick for Blaise Matuidi's midfield challenge on Eder, but the Englishman is given no option.

96: Portugal defender Raphael Guerreiro tugs Sissoko's shirt and duly becomes the third Portugal player booked.

98: William Carvalho becomes the fourth for his trip on Kingsley Coman. Again, there are no complaints.

104: Following a push by Pepe in the France box at a corner, Clattenburg calmly reminds both sets of players for clean contact at set pieces.

114: Clattenburg gets one wrong. Books French defender Laurent Koscielny for handball just outside the box when replays show the ball came off Eder's hand. Guerreiro's subsequent free-kick hits the crossbar.

123: Books Portugal goalkeeper Rui Patricio for time wasting in the closing seconds moments before he blows the final whistle.

Verdict: Clattenburg, described by former referee Graham Poll as one of Britain's best-ever referees before the final, did little to spoil his reputation. Tried to stay out of the spotlight with low-key, sensible officiating, but will regret one wrong handball decision.

Source: PA