Danny Simpson claim about Premier League referee resurfaces amid David Coote allegations
Footage of Danny Simpson's claims about a referee have re-emerged in the wake of David Coote's suspension from the PGMOL.
On Monday, a video appeared to show Coote insulting Liverpool and Jurgen Klopp, who was branded "German c***" and "F***ing arrogant".
He has since been suspended with "immediate effect" pending the outcome of an investigation.
The controversy has opened up discussions about the integrity of match officials coming under the spotlight but a video with explosive allegations about a different referee circulated on social media.
Advert
In an appearance on the Under the Cosh podcast, former Leicester City right-back Danny Simpson alleged that former Premier League referee Mark Clattenburg decided against sending a player off in their historic 5000/1 Premier League title triumph.
Although he did not recall the specific game, Simpson claimed Clattenburg told a player he believed was Danny Drinkwater that he wanted Leicester to win the league and so didn't give him "a second yellow".
The clip was shared with the caption: "Nobody raised an eyebrow when this came out and it’s worse than the Coote thing."
Simpson said: "I remember Clattenburg, mate. I think should have sent someone off and he said something like, 'I should have sent you off there but I want yous to win it'. It was mad. I swear to God. It's a good job there was no VAR!
"I had to pretend I didn't hear it. I was laughing my b***ocks off inside and I thought, 'Yeah, we're doing this.'
"I think it was Drinky [Danny Drinkwater] actually. It was his second yellow or something and he could've easily sent him off but he didn't."
Clattenburg, who officiated both the Champions League and Euro finals, strongly denied the "preposterous" and "ridiculous" claims made by Simpson and said that there was "absolutely no substance".
He also threatened to take legal action and said the matter was with his lawyers.
"I fully deny the allegations made by Danny Simpson," he told the Daily Mail. I find them preposterous. They are very serious and could question my integrity.
"To suggest I told a player that I wanted Leicester to win the league is ridiculous. It would have been picked up by our microphones.
"I did not book Danny Drinkwater during that season. His claims have absolutely no substance and I have no idea why, seven years later, he has chosen to say this. The matter is now with my lawyer."
Clattenburg took charge of four Leicester games in their historic league win and did not book Drinkwater. His only booking in their title run-in was for Robert Huth in a 4-0 win over Swansea in April 2016.
He last worked as a refereeing consultant with Nottingham Forest before resigning and admitted the role "caused more problems than it did good".
Topics: Leicester City
Josh Lawless