• Premier League

Pochettino 'not worried' by Clattenburg

Southampton manager Mauricio Pochettino claims he is looking forward to shaking hands with referee Mark Clattenburg before Saturday's Premier League match at West Ham.

Clattenburg will officiate a Saints game this weekend for the first time since the club filed an official complaint against him following their December 29 game at Everton.

The official was cleared of any wrongdoing by the referees' governing body, the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL).

"To be honest I am happy that we will have him as the referee,'' Pochettino said. "It doesn't worry me. I haven't spoken to him since but that is why I'm happy to see him on Saturday. I'm happy to say hello to him and I will try to help him as much as I can from the sidelines.

"It's good that we can put things back to normal out of something that was taken out of context. As a club and as a manager, it's our duty to help referees. Human errors can happen.''

The club had alleged that Clattenburg told Saints captain Adam Lallana during their defeat at Everton: "You are very different now, since you've played for England - you never used to be like this.''

Lallana had challenged Clattenburg's decision not to award a penalty to Southampton.

"For us, it's a closed chapter,'' Pochettino said. "We are going to co-operate. We are a friendly club. Clubs can have meetings with referees and we actually petitioned to have a meeting with him in the future to clarify everything. We are happy to do that.

"As for Adam, he only thinks about football. He didn't like to have been involved in this situation. He probably is happy to see the end of it. We are a friendly club. I have no doubt Adam will share a hug with the referee before the game.''

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