Mark Clattenburg quits Premier League as ref heads for staggering £1m-a-year deal in Saudi Arabia

• Mark Clattenburg is set to leave the Premier League to work abroad 
• Clattenburg had offers to officiate in America, but has chosen Saudi Arabia 
• He has become increasingly tired of the level of scrutiny over decisions
• GRAHAM POLL: Clattenburg's move is latest sign of England's refereeing crisis 

Mark Clattenburg has quit the Premier League for a money-spinning move to Saudi Arabia and given up on his dream of refereeing the World Cup Final.

Sportsmail revealed on Tuesday that the country’s top referee was considering his future and there were fears at the Professional Game Match Officials Limited of an imminent resignation.

And it was confirmed on Thursday that Clattenburg will be released from his contract to become Saudi Arabia’s new head of referees.

It is understood the 41-year-old was disillusioned with the politics of the PGMOL and felt there was a lack of support from referees’ chief Mike Riley. He was especially miffed at being overlooked for the FA Cup final until last season despite refereeing in the top flight since 2004.

Clattenburg - who took charge of both the Champions League and Euro 2016 finals last year - was unveiled in Saudi Arabia on Thursday, and he said: ‘I bring a wealth of knowledge and a passion for improving refereeing and education.

‘I am very humbled by this exciting opportunity.’

Clattenburg turned down a £1million-per-year offer from China and sources suggested that his annual salary will now almost match that in the Middle East. His current earnings of £100,000 will rocket to at least a tax-free £500,000.

But his World Cup dream looks to be over.

The County Durham-born official was already on UEFA’s pre-selected list for Russia 2018 and it is thought he was a strong favourite to land the final.

Clattenburg could yet use the influence of his friend Pierluigi Collina - the former Italian referee who holds positions at both UEFA and FIFA - to safeguard his involvement next summer, but that looks unlikely.

Those close to Clattenburg say the move to Saudi Arabia offers future financial security and provides an escape route from the politics of the PGMOL, headed by former referee Mike Riley.

Indeed, Clattenburg decided before Christmas that he wanted out and rumours began circulating that he was set to ‘hand in his cards’.

But the timing has stunned colleagues, the majority of whom hold him in the highest regard.

There is now the possibility that Clattenburg will attempt to persuade some of those officials to follow him to the Arab state and his departure robs the Premier League of its best referee at a time when the standard of officiating is again being called into question.

However, the PGMOL tried to put a positive spin on his defection, by saying: ‘We understand this is an exciting opportunity for Mark as well as further underlining what high esteem English match officials are held throughout the world game.

‘Mark is a talented referee, he has been a great asset to the English game and hopefully an inspiration to those who want to get into refereeing at the grass roots of the game.’

Clattenburg, though, felt as if the governing body did not afford him the respect he deserved and he has long since been on a collision course with the hierarchy.

He was cleared of racially abusing Chelsea’s Jon Obi Mikel in 2012 but felt a lack of support from the PGMOL and he also fell out with them over his decision to drive from a game in London to an Ed Sheeran concert in Newcastle in 2014.

His final match in England was Arsenal's 2-0 victory over Hull at the Emirates Stadium last Saturday, after which he apologised to the visiting players for failing to spot Alexis Sanchez's handball goal.

Clattenburg subsequently failed to collect an award at the North-East Football Writers' Dinner on Sunday evening and Sportsmail reported on Tuesday that he was set to quit the Premier League.