of english referee, mark clattenburg, suspended over debts allegation

English referee suspended over debts allegation: Mark Clattenburg, one of England's prominent soccer referees, has been suspended as media reported alleged debts incurred by companies connected to the referee.

One of England's most prominent soccer referees, Mark Clattenburg, has been suspended while enquiries are made into his business dealings, the English Football Association announced Thursday.

A joint statement from the FA and the referees' organisation, the Professional Game Match Officials Ltd, said the move was made because of "media reports concerning alleged debts incurred by companies connected to referee Mark Clattenburg."

The announcement added: "It has been decided he will not officiate any matches pending enquiries into the background to these reports."

The scheduled FA Community Shield match between Manchester United and Portsmouth was supposed to be officiated by Clattenburg but he has been replaced by Peter Walton.