Mark Clattenburg reveals the five players who he found the most difficult to deal with during his career

One of the most prominent referees of his generation, Clattenburg officiated in the Premier League from 2004 to 2017.

Clattenburg, who also oversaw the Euro 2016 final and the 2016 Champions League final, has had to make sure that some of football's biggest names stayed in line.

He has now opened up on the players that gave him the most difficulties during his time in the middle, as told to Paddy Power.

1. JENS LEHMANN

Clattenburg said: 'I used to find Jens Lehmann such hard work.

'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.'
Clattenburg says ex-Arsenal goalkeeper Jens Lehmann always tried to wind up opponents

2. RIO FERDINAND

Clattenburg says Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand was always arguing with officials.

He said: '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.'

3. PEPE

Real Madrid defender Pepe clashed with Clattenburg during the 2016 Champions League final.

Clattenburg says Pepe always tried to wind up opponents and in the final he was seen rolling around on the ground.

Clattenburg said: '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.'

Clattenburg had a run in with Real Madrid defender Pepe in the 2016 Champions League final

Clattenburg, who was pictured sticking his tongue out when Pepe rolled around, added: 'I remember coming off and everyone was talking about my tongue, they weren't talking about my refereeing performance - which was a good thing.

'So I thought "you know what, that wasn't a bad thing to do". But it was just a reaction - my mouth was completely dry, it was a really hot day.

'It worked perfectly because, when you watch it back, Pepe was on the floor - and, oh my god, what a soft s***e. Rolling around.

'So what I did was what everyone back at home watching probably thought of Pepe.'

4. ROY KEANE

Perhaps unsurprisingly, former Manchester United star Roy Keane is included on Clattenburg's list of those who were difficult to deal with.

Clattenburg stated that you never knew what Keane was going to do next.

He said: 'Roy was physical, hard and you couldn't trust him.

'Look at the tackle on Alf-Inge Haaland for example.

'You never knew what he was going to do next.'

5. CRAIG BELLAMY

Craig Bellamy, who played for clubs including Liverpool, Manchester City and Blackburn, was the worst player to deal with, according to Clattenburg.

Clattenburg described the former Wales international as 'downright rude' and 'irritating'.

He said: 'The worst one - and I've thought it for years - was Bellamy.

'He was just the most irritating player on the pitch - and he was irritating off it.

'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.'

A GOOD RELATIONSHIP WITH CRISTIANO RONALDO

Although he clashed with several stars, Clattenburg did have a good relationship with some players, including Cristiano Ronaldo.

Clattenburg says he treated players with respect and it was reciprocated in a lot of cases.

Clattenburg said: 'I remember seeing Thierry Henry and Cristiano Ronaldo, when he first came in to the Premier League, and thinking 'f*** me, how good are these?'

'I treated them the same as I would everybody else. And that's probably why I had a warm relationship with a lot of the big players, especially with people like Cristiano Ronaldo - you know the way he was at the end, when he was trying to grab us going up for my medal in the Euros.

'There was a lot of respect there. I had such a great relationship with Ronaldo. And when you have a good relationship with them on the pitch, they make your life so easy.

'I treated players exactly the same if they were in grassroots, amateur football, or the top level. I think the professional players liked that, they didn't like being talked down to.'