Investigation of debts
In the summer of 2008, Clattenburg was appointed to referee that year's
FA Community Shield, with Dave Richardson and Ian Gosling assisting and
Andre Marriner acting as fourth official.
[15] However, Clattenburg was later suspended from refereeing, pending an investigation into alleged debts incurred by companies to which he was connected.
[16] The Shield match between
Portsmouth and Manchester United took place at Wembley Stadium with
Peter Walton as the replacement referee.
[17]
Following the investigation into his personal life and business debts, the referees' governing body dismissed Clattenburg, citing a breach of contract. He denied all the allegations and appealed the decision.
[18] On 18 February 2009 the
Professional Game Match Officials Board reinstated Clattenburg as a Select Group referee. However, he had to serve an eight-month suspension, starting from his original suspension date of 6 August 2008. Upon his return from suspension on the last day of the Premier League season, Clattenburg refereed a fixture between
Manchester City and
Bolton Wanderers— his only domestic appointment of that season.