Mark Clattenburg praised for handling of Euro 2016 final

Referee Mark Clattenburg (centre) and his officials before the game. Credit: Mike Egerton/EMPICS Sport

County Durham referee Mark Clattenburg has won praise for his handling of Sunday's Euro 2016 final in Paris.

Consett-born Clattenburg became the first English referee of a European Championship final since Arthur Holland in 1964. He also officiated at last season's Champions League and FA Cup finals.

Despite a poor game, which Portugal won 1-0, Clattenburg was praised for his handling of the occasion.

Taking to Twitter Match of the Day host and former England striker Gary Lineker said he was a candidate for the final's 'best performer.'

Writing for Mail Online, former ref Graham Poll said Clattenburg helped keep a "poor game flowing" while Howard Webb - who refereed the World Cup Final in 2010, wrote in the Times how he had managed to handle the pressure of such a huge occasion.

Ahead of Sunday's game, former Newcastle United striker Michael Owen called Clattenburg 'top class.'

However Clattenburg was criticised by fans on Twitter for not booking Dimitri Payet, whose challenge on Cristiano Ronaldo led the Portuguese captain being substituted in the first half injured.