Former Premier League referee Mike Dean says he used to set himself mini-challenges during matches “as a laugh”. Appearing on Jamie Vardy’s podcast, Dean said he would see how long he could go without blowing his whistle, or stay inside the centre circle. “We used to say, ‘we’ll kick off now. Right, see how long […]
Former Premier League referee Mike Dean says he used to set himself mini-challenges during matches “as a laugh”.
Appearing on Jamie Vardy’s podcast, Dean said he would see how long he could go without blowing his whistle, or stay inside the centre circle.
“We used to say, ‘we’ll kick off now. Right, see how long we can go without blowing a whistle’,” he added.
“I’ve done that a few times in the Premier League, before VAR obviously – went 20, 25 minutes without blowing a whistle.
“I used to do another thing. I used to stand in the centre circle – see how long I could stay in the centre circle before I had to leave.
“That was just me joking about. I got about 15 minutes once.”
Mark Halsey, who refereed in the Premier League between 1999 and 2013, told BBC Sport that Dean’s comments damaged the reputation of all referees.
BBC Sport understands that refereeing figures consider Dean’s claims to be unfounded, which would be historical and go back to the pre-video assistant referee era before 2019, when Pro Ref was under different leadership.
It is not the first time he has courted controversy for his media statements.
When acting as the video assistant referee (VAR) for Chelsea’s 2-2 draw with Tottenham in August 2022, Dean failed to send the referee to the monitor for a red card for Cristian Romero.
The Spurs defender should have been penalised for pulling Marc Cucurella’s hair.
After retiring, Dean said in an interview he did not intervene because he wanted to save referee Anthony Taylor from extra “grief”.
“I didn’t want to send him up because he is a mate as well as a referee,” he revealed.
Dean enjoyed a 28-year career as a professional official, stepping down from on-field officiating in 2022 and retiring after spending the 2022-23 season as a full-time VAR.
The 58-year-old began officiating in 1985 and progressed from refereeing in the Football League 10 years later, and then to Premier League in 2000.
Dean refereed the 2008 FA Cup final and 2011 League Cup final at Wembley.
Halsey also doubted Dean’s story was true, but he had questions to answer if so.
“It’s caused so much controversy, and in all my years as a professional referee I have never heard of these these games, never,” said Halsey.
“If Mike has played these games, then he’s done that of his own accord.
“And if he has, then I think we need to know what games he’s done them in, and how many games he’s done them in. It brings into question the integrity of every official now.”
Halsey added he had spoken to other officials today who said “they’ve not heard of it either”, as he questioned the validity of Dean’s claims.
“It’s just impossible to go five minutes, let alone 20 minutes, without blowing your whistle to giving a free-kick,” he said.
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