Ref Clattenburg shown Ed card

Mark Clattenburg has been dropped for this weekend’s Premier League fixtures after breaking protocol so he could watch an Ed Sheeran concert.

Clattenburg is understood to have driven home alone after officiating West Brom’s home game against Crystal Palace so he could get back to Newcastle to watch Sheeran perform at the Metro Radio Arena.

The rules of the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL), state officials must travel to and from the ground together to protect their integrity and security.

It has also emerged that Clattenburg broke another rule by speaking to Crystal Palace manager Neil Warnock on the phone after the 2-2 draw at the Hawthorns.