Aston Villa 1 Everton 1 (Anichebe)

Made 4 Gwladys wrote:Twattenburg is back

http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/news/Everton-David-Moyes-tight-lipped-as-ref-Mark-Clattenburgs-five-year-exile-from-officiating-their-games-ends-article853436.html

Mark Clattenburg will finally referee an Everton game again this weekend - five years and three months after he last did.

The Blues have played 162 matches since the Durham-based official was accused of bias and gross incompetence over his eccentric handling of a Merseyside derby back in October 2007.

Everton manager David Moyes was eventually charged by the FA for his comments about the ref following the game, in which two Everton had two players sent off and were denied a blatant last-minute penalty and a Liverpool player avoided an obvious red card.

Only months after that game, Clattenburg was relieved of all refereeing duties by the FA while they investigated his financial affairs, following the winding up of one of his businesses in the High Court for unpaid debts of nearly £60,000.

Amid claims he had total business debts of almost £200,000, Clattenburg was eventually dismissed for a breach of contract by referees' body the PGMO after an investigation into his business affairs and personal life.

He was reinstated to the list in February 2009, after clearing his name.

Since then though, the PGMO has studiously avoided allowing him near an Everton game.

The PGMO declined to answer questions this week about the reasons behind Clattenburg's absence from Everton matches, or why they have finally relented and allowed him to officiate their meeting with Aston Villa this weekend.

Moyes said he had not been consulted in any way by anyone from either the PGMO or the FA, but admitted: "Why should they? Managers shouldn't make appointments.

"That's all I can say on the matter. We have instructions not to comment on officials - before or after games!"

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Mr_Ben wrote:Be surprised if Gibson starts.

Main concern is the speed upfront from Villa.

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