It’s official, Mark Clattenburg is the BEST referee in the world having scooped the honour at the annual Globe Soccer Awards
The Premier League official has had a 2016 to remember having been in charge of a number of key finals in the calendar year
Sponsored by
It's official, Mark Clattenburg is the world's best referee as he scoops the accolade at the Globe Soccer Awards in Dubai.
The 41-year-old official has had a simply wonderful 2016, and the honour is the icing on the cake for the man who already has enjoyed so much success.
Clattenburg, from County Durham, has taken charge of a trio of finals earlier on in the Summer, first the FA Cup, followed by the UEFA Champions League, and then the UEFA European Championship.
He marked his historic achievements with a tattoo and his officiating has not went unnoticed, winning the Best Referee award in its third year of existence.
Aside from being the lead official in key events, he also demonstrated his awareness and the ability to control a game.
He was in charge of the Euro 2016 game between Czech Republic and Croatia where the latter's fans threw flares on the pitch, and the Englishman acted quickly to suspend the game for several minutes.
Related stories
Last year Uzbekistan's Ravshan Irmatov claimed the honour, and the year before Italy's Nicola Rizzoli claimed the award.
The Globe Soccer Awards have been running since 2010, and started with just four winners, now there are ten awards, honouring agent's, club president's and player's in different continents.
The EFAA (European Association of Player's Agents) and the ECA (European Club Association) organise the event.
Every December they host a Gala Dinner where they present the award ceremony.
Cristiano Ronaldo won his fourth Globe Soccer Award, to add to the Ballon d'Or he recently claimed awarded by France Football.
It's the third time he has won the Best Player of the Year having won the Fans Favourite Player in 2013, with Franck Ribery claiming the top prize.
Elsewhere there was a surprise winner in the Best Agent category, Jorge Mendes had previously won the last six times, but he was beaten by Mario Balotelli's representative Mino Raiola.
Leicester City can count themselves unlucky as Real Madrid beat them to the Best Team of the Year.
The Best Coach of the Year went to Fernando Santos who guided Portugal to a historic first international title.