Featured Image Credit: LADbible TV/Getty
Topics: Football, Roy Keane, Mark Clattenburg
Chris Byfield
Former referee Mark Clattenburg once admitted Roy Keane made him change his mind about a decision.
Whether it be on the pitch, in the dugout or a television studio, Keane is notorious for his curmudgeon and at times intimidating demeanour.
During his playing career, Keane was so unnerving for opposition players and officials he once even influenced ex-Premier League official Clattenburg to change his decision.
"Even in the Premier League, I still smile at the first time I came across Roy Keane," Clattenburg told NBC's Men in Blazers podcast in 2017.
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"He screamed at us for a corner and I'm sure it was a goal kick but because he screamed at us so loudly, I gave a corner. I was that petrified of him."
The interview caused much controversy at the time, with Clattenburg also making headlines for saying he allowed Tottenham to "self-destruct" in their 2-2 draw with Chelsea in May 2016, so that he could not be blamed for Leicester securing the Premier League title.
Spurs needed to beat the reigning champions at Stamford Bridge, but in a fractious contest Chelsea came from 2-0 down to claim a point with nine Tottenham players and three Blues players booked.
Clattenburg admitted that while he could have taken much more draconian action during the match, he was happy to let Tottenham "self-destruct" instead.
He said: "I allowed them to self-destruct so all the media, all the people in the world could go: 'Tottenham lost the title'.
"If I sent three players off from Tottenham, what are the headlines? 'Clattenburg cost Tottenham the title'. It was pure theatre that Tottenham self-destructed against Chelsea and Leicester won the title.
"Some referees would have played by the book, Tottenham would have been down to seven or eight players and they would've been looking for an excuse.
"But I didn't give them an excuse, because my gameplan was: 'Let them lose the title'."