Ex-Premier League ref names 5 worst players – and one he brands a ‘soft s***e’

Mark Clattenburg faced his fair share of challenging players during his illustrious career.

From overseeing the Euro 2016 final to taking charge of the Champions League showdown between Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid the same year, Clattenburg has encountered numerous footballing personalities that tested his mettle. Speaking to The Sun, the former official opened up about the players who proved to be the most challenging.

Roy Keane, known for his combative style, set the bar high when it came to trouble with officials. With a record-breaking 13 red cards, the Irishman left a lasting impression on Clattenburg. The former referee acknowledged Keane's physicality and unpredictability. "Roy was physical, hard and you couldn't trust him," he said. "Look at the tackle on Alf-Inge Haaland, for example. You never knew what he was going to do next."

Rio Ferdinand, Keane's teammate at Manchester United, also posed challenges for Clattenburg. During the infamous Fergie era, Ferdinand, as part of a dominant United side, played mind games on the pitch in a bid to influence decisions.

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Reflecting on those encounters, Clattenburg confessed: "I found him difficult to referee during that Fergie era because he was always trying to play mind games. "He tried to get under your skin, probably to get that next decision. Rio was such a difficult player to referee as he was always in your face. When I got older and a bit more wiser, he probably left us alone more."

Ex Premier League bad boy Craig Bellamy was described by Clattenburg as "the worst" player to referee. "He was just the most irritating player on the pitch – and he was irritating off it," said the former official. "He was downright rude and it didn't matter what you said to him. I made mistakes against him but what he used to say to you, it was not acceptable. People say you should have sent him off and I did – incorrectly for diving. I cautioned him at Bolton for diving and it was a blatant penalty. He was a guy I just didn't really get on well with."

Who is the Premier League's most irritating player? Tell us in the comments section.

Jens Lehmann, the formidable goalkeeper of Arsenal's Invincibles, also presented a challenge for referees, and once picked up an astonishing eight yellow cards in a single Premier League season. Clattenburg said: "He was always difficult because he'd always whinge about people stepping on his toes in the penalty area. Centre-forwards would always try and wind him up. A corner would come in and they would give him a little nudge and he'd go ballistic and push players and have arguments with referees. He was always a difficult one."

Ex Real Madrid star Pepe proved to be a contentious player for Clattenburg in international and Champions League matches. Referring to him as a "soft s***e," the former official highlighted Pepe's tendency to instigate and provoke opponents in order to get them sent off. Clattenburg added: "I had a run-in with Pepe in the Champions League final. He was a guy who was always difficult because he'd try to frame stuff and wind attackers up to get them sent off, which is not always a great thing when you're trying to referee a football match."

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