Mark Clattenburg revealed the unusual way in which he persuaded Jordan Henderson to stop abusing during a competition – by threatening to tell his mother.
Speaking on the podcast of the Klokkenluiders van de Post, the former Premier League referee described the incident during a debate on whether players should be sent more often for curses among referees.
He used the Henderson -anecdote to claim that understanding individual psychology can be more effective than publishing red cards that can change the course of a match.
Clattenburg said: “Jordan from Sunderland and his mother and father come from a village near where my old house was.
“I had known him for a few years. He had played for Sunderland – and I am a fan of Newcastle – but I never held it against him.
“This happened when he played for Liverpool. I had previously sent Jordan from the season in a match against Manchester City, a potential title decision maker.
“He missed the rest of the season after that game. We had talked about broadcasting and Jordan admitted that he had earned it.
“He told me that his mother had called him about it and had gone crazy. I then knew he had a close relationship with his parents.
'The following season I was employed in Bournemouth, it was against Liverpool. I gave a decision – a basic, bread and butter decision – and Jordan definitely brought us free.
“It should have been a broadcast. It was a clear mistake, really hurtful and I should have given a red card.
“I turned around and said to Jordan: I'm going to tell your mother what you just said to me when I see her at the weekend.
'Jordan became white as a sheet and then immediately remain silent. I remember thinking, I can't believe it worked. '
'The Power of the Mother', joked fellow guest and e-mail football editor Ian Ladyman.
Clattenburg further described how players often agree with the decisions of referees after a while, even when they had protested furiously at the moment.
The ex-elite civil servant said: 'It's interesting because with many players after you have sent them, you think about yourself will not talk to me again.
'But the next time you are them a referee, they will tell you – I probably deserved that.
'In the heat of the battle, players are completely different animals. But when you see them the next week, they will see it completely different. '
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