Mark Clattenburg has been suspended from
refereeing duties pending enquiries into reports of the official's
alleged debts.
Clattenburg is alleged to have run up debts relating to
companies connected to him, forcing the Football Association and
the referees body Professional Game Match Officials Ltd to
act.
Clattenburg was due to take charge of Sunday's FA Community
Shield clash between Manchester United and Portsmouth, but has now
been replaced by Peter Walton.
With the new Premier League season due to start in nine days'
time, Clattenburg will also not officiate in any other games until
the issue has been resolved.
A joint statement from the Football Association and PGMO read:
"PGMO is aware of media reports concerning alleged debts incurred
by companies connected to referee Mark Clattenburg.
"It has been decided he will not officiate any matches pending
enquiries into the background to these reports.
"The FA has also decided to appoint Peter Walton as referee for
Sunday's FA Community Shield between Manchester United and
Portsmouth in place of Mark Clattenburg."
A PGMO spokesman added: "It is in the best interests of Mark
Clattenburg and the game that these reports are fully investigated
and, during that time, he will not referee any matches.
"Mark Clattenburg is one of England's leading referees and we
hope to resolve this matter swiftly."
Clattenburg's firm MC Electrical Retail NE Ltd was wound up
under the Insolvency Act on June 27, Newcastle County Court
confirmed.
Friend John Hepworth took legal action in a bid to recover a
debt reported to be almost £60,000.
In May Mr Hepworth served Clattenburg's firm with legal papers
demanding £59,589.
When it failed to pay, he took the case to the county court and
MC Electrical Retail NE Ltd was wound up.