Crystal Palace fans have been left aghast by former Premier League referee Mark Clattenburg’s latest comments.
Following the Eagles’ 2-2 draw at The Emirates on Sunday, Clattenburg claims Palace were awarded ‘a gift’ from VAR, suggesting Wilfried Zaha ‘clearly dived’ to earn his side a penalty.
Clattenburg’s seemingly long-standing feud with Palace continued after referee Martin Atkinson’s decision to book Zaha after being tackled by Calum Chambers was overturned by VAR.
In his article in the Daily Mail, Clattenburg said:
“VAR left me puzzled at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday.
“I'm still lost as to why they got involved to award Crystal Palace a penalty against Arsenal when, in my opinion, Wilfried Zaha clearly dived.
“Referee Martin Atkinson was right to book the Palace man for simulation.
“He was in a perfect position to make the call, too.
“Calum Chambers' leg was planted and Zaha threw himself to the ground.
“Then VAR got involved.
“They told their man on the ground to overturn his original decision and award a spot-kick instead.
“It was a gift for Palace.”
Luka Milivojevic went on to convert the penalty before Andre Ayew levelled the tie to earn Rouy Hodgson’s men a point.
Long History
The Eagles have not picked up a point in 15 matches officiated by Clattenburg, and his popularity seemingly hit rock-bottom during the 2016 FA Cup final against Manchester United.
Disallowing Conor Wickham’s goal, as well as failing to allow advantage when Palace were through on goal, they were eventually beaten 2-1 by United.
The latest edition of the Clattenburg-Crystal Palace saga has once again stoked the embers of the Eagles fans and their thoughts on the former Premier League referee.
I see Clattenburg is making it all about him again.
— GazBod (@gazbod) October 28, 2019
Muppet 🙄 #CPFC
ark Clattenburg and The Daily Mail are perfectly suited to each other. Bigoted, opinionated b*ll*cks #CPFC
— richard foster 🦅 (@rcfoster) October 28, 2019
#Clattenburg and #CPFC
— Jel (@jelthecaddy) October 28, 2019
Remember when he didn't even hide the fact he wanted Utd to win the 2016 final? Cheat, plain and simple. VAR would've shown him up as a top 6 sycophant, the game and smaller clubs are better off without him.
s in the FA Cup Final - Clattenburg proving his anti-Palace bias. Shameful.
— Julian Chenery (@julianchenery) October 28, 2019
Yep. Could not give a damn what Clattenburg thinks.
— Sam (@SWPalace) October 28, 2019
Clattenberg??? The Chris Sutton of referees.
— Andy W (@Walski5) October 28, 2019
Wow, just confirming how bent this guy is.
— rickerz (@rickerz61) October 27, 2019
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