Mark Clattenburg has resigned from his refereeing consultancy role at Nottingham Forest less than three months after being appointed by the Premier League side.
The former top-flight official was involved in the controversy surrounding the club last month in which Forest released a statement slamming VAR and Stuart Attwell after the 2-0 loss to Everton.
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Clattenburg was heavily criticised in the aftermath of the incident and there were calls from pundits – including Jamie Carragher and Gary Neville – for him to resign.
The 49-year-old has now done so and says his work has caused “unmerited targeting.”
A statement released by Forest said: “This is to announce that I will no longer be providing match analysis services to NFFC.
Mark Clattenburg has left his role at Forest. pic.twitter.com/Wn6z5ssuKZ
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) May 3, 2024
“Since February this year, I have been proud to have done so under a consultancy agreement between NFFC and Referee Consultant Ltd.
“I performed my services under the consultancy agreement in good faith, to the best of my abilities and in the hope of using my extensive experience as a match official to help NFFC understand how decisions in relation to key match incidents are made amid the workings of VAR.
“However, it is now clear that the existence and performance of these consultancy services has caused unintended friction between NFFC and other participants, to the extent that it has become more of a hindrance than help to NFFC.
“It has also led to the unmerited targeting of me, personally, by certain participants and pundits.
“Such reactions and outcomes were not expected and are regrettable, as it is my sincere belief that there is a place for and value in such a role in the modern game.
“I am grateful to NFFC and wish them all the best during the remainder of the season and in the future. It’s been an honour.”
Forest have three games to save their season and currently sit one point above 18th-placed Luton Town.
They face Sheffield United on Saturday before taking on Chelsea and Burnley in the final two games.
