Clattenburg out as Forest's referee consultant due to 'unintended friction'

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NOTTINGHAM, England (AP) — Mark Clattenburg is leaving his role as a referee consultant at Nottingham Forest, saying Friday his presence at the club has caused "unintended friction" with its Premier League rivals.

Clattenburg, a former Premier League referee, also cited the "unmerited targeting of me, personally, by certain participants and pundits" as a reason behind his decision to leave the role.

"Such reactions and outcome was not expected and is regrettable," he said in a club statement, "as it is my sincere belief that there is a place for and value in such a role in the modern game."

Clattenburg has worked with Forest since February, seemingly in a move to help the club understand refereeing decisions such as those made by the Video Assistant Referee.

Forest has been publicly critical of a number of refereeing decisions in recent months, including in the 3-0 loss at Everton last month. Immediately after the game, an inflammatory statement by Forest questioned the integrity of the VAR, Stuart Attwell.

Clattenburg said he performed his consultancy services "in good faith, to the best of my abilities."

"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," he said.

Forest heads into the third-to-last round of games a point above the relegation zone.