AGENCIES
CHINA
Premier League referee Mark Clattenburg would seriously consider an offer, if one came, to officiate in the Chinese Super League.
Chinese clubs have targeted high-profile players for their burgeoning league, with Carlos Tevez the latest to make a big-money move to Asia.
But they are also looking to bring in leading officials as well and Clattenburg, recently named Referee of the year at the Globe Soccer Awards, was linked with a move to China earlier in the week.
"China are certainly looking to develop their football, looking at their signings and their recruitment," Clattenburg told a news agency.
"If an opportunity came along I am contracted to the Premier League but I have to look at my long-term strategy of my career. How long can I last as a referee? I have been in the Premier League 12 years. It's been a wonderful 12 years.
"There is no offer on the table but if they made an offer it would be under consideration. But at the moment I still enjoy working for the Premier League and UEFA."
Clattenburg hopes when his career in the Premier League eventually ends he will be able to help a country like China raise refereeing standards.
"Money has never been a driver as a referee.. It's about the drive of doing something different, maybe helping the recruitment," Clattenburg added.
"If it didn't happen now I will be looking in the future at that, a bit like Howard Webb has done (in Saudi Arabia) where you are helping another country develop refereeing.
"It's important to have the right quality of referee to go with the level of football. China is going to become a huge player in years to come ... If they want to be serious about their league they are going to have to have the right setup. Refereeing is a huge part of football."
