Former referee Mark Krattenberg began criticising PGMOL chief Howard Webb. Krattenberg has hosted many well-known equipment during his career, including the 2016 UEFA Champions League Final and the Euro 2016 Final.
The 50-year-old left his Premier League referee role in February 2017 and joined the Saudi Arabian Football Federation. He later took positions in China and Egypt before becoming the lead referee for the popular BBC TV Programme Gladiator.
Krattenberg worked with former official Webb at the 2012 Euro 2012, but claims he and other referees have locked him out of post-match social events. Webb has been responsible for fixtures for the 2010 Champions League final, the 2010 World Cup final and 296 Premier League fixtures throughout his career, and has recently been one of England’s most skilled officials.
The 54-year-old now leads PGMOL, an organization tasked with training, developing, appointing and overseeing all professional referees in English football, but Krattenberg maintains the duo’s shared friendship. “I’m not saying I’m friends with Howard,” he revealed in the Daily Mail whistleblower podcast.
“I respect him, but I think he has his own agenda. He’s had an agenda for many years. I worked with him in Euro 2012. And you see a different side to people. I remember being an add (assistant) behind the goal with Martin Atson, Howard Webb and his two assistants.
“After the match, we all went to one of the rooms and arranged to eat some beer, as we all went internationally. But that night they all disappeared. The next day I asked: “What happened?”
“They were told they went to bed early. It was a line, but in reality they all went out to parties. I respect what he did as a management judge, but as a person, I can’t respect a guy.”
Krattenberg was brought in as a referee consultant by Nottingham Forest in February 2024. His position was created as a liaison between the club and PGMOL, and worked on the issue of presiding, advising the board.
However, former officials resigned just three months after Forest’s publication of a controversial statement that Var Stuart Attwell supported Luton and doubted his fairness. Krattenberg also claims that Webb asked about his forest income, moaning about his own PGMOL wage.
He added: “What do you think the problem with Webb is? He doesn’t want anyone to be as successful as he does. For example, when I was in the woods, the conversation between us is what your salary is?
“I’m sorry, but I shouldn’t be about pay, but he always complained to me that he wasn’t paid enough. That’s not my problem.
“There was always this resistance from people within PGMOL and the former re-reports could work at a soccer club. I think that created a bit of hostility between me and Webb.”
A PGMOL spokesman declined to comment.
