Mark Clattenburg has resigned as a consultant to the Nottingham Forest board, admitting the role had become “more hindrance than help”.

The former Premier League referee was only appointed in the unique role in February but has since been embroiled in a number of controversies, first speaking out over a drop ball incident in a match against Liverpool and then criticising the officiating in Forest's game against Everton on April 21.

Clattenburg feels he has been unfairly targeted by “certain participants and pundits.”

Clattenburg said: “This is to announce that I will no longer be providing match analysis services to Nottingham Forest Football Club. Since February this year, I have been proud to have done so under a consultancy agreement between NFFC and Referee Consultant Ltd.

“I performed my services under the consultancy agreement in good faith, to the best of my abilities and in the hope of using my extensive experience as a match official to help NFFC understand how decisions in relation to key match incidents are made amid the workings of VAR.

“However, it is now clear that the existence and performance of these consultancy services has caused unintended friction between NFFC and other participants, to the extent that it has become more of a hindrance than help to NFFC.

“It has also led to the unmerited targeting of me, personally, by certain participants and pundits. Such reactions and outcome was not expected and is regrettable, as it is my sincere belief that there is a place for and value in such a role in the modern game.

“I am grateful to NFFC and wish them all the best during the remainder of the season and in the future. It’s been an honour.”

Forest have been charged with improper conduct by the Football Association over their extraordinary statement about VAR Stuart Attwell.

They issued a social media post minutes after the defeat to Everton on April 21 criticising the rejection of three penalty appeals, and claiming they had warned referees' body Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) that Attwell was a fan of relegation rivals Luton but nothing was done about it.

The FA has also charged Forest boss Nuno Espirito Santo and full-back Neco Williams over their comments about the officiating, while issuing a formal warning to Clattenburg hours after he announced his resignation.

The FA alleged the comments by Forest, Nuno and Williams "constitute improper conduct in that they imply bias and/or question the integrity of the match officials and/or bring the game into disrepute".

The club, Nuno and Williams have until May 9 to respond, the FA said.

The Premier League is also investigating the Forest post on Attwell under its rules, having put out a statement saying it was "extremely disappointed" by it.