Mike Dean has admitted he would play secret mini-games while refereeing Premier League matches in a mystifying revelation that has outraged fans.
Dean has not refereed since retiring in 2022 after a 22-year officiating career, during which he took charge of 553 top-flight games.
While one of the most recognisable in his field, the 58-year-old was also a notably controversial figure for his unique manner of refereeing, with on-pitch gags and his self-admitted "arrogance" sometimes seeing him end up under the spotlight.
Pundit Garth Crooks famously blasted Dean as "petulant schoolteacher" in a now widely-shared clip on BBC's Final Score in 2015, saying: "He wants to be the star too often. It's really getting on my nerves because he's spoiling great games. It's not about you, Mike, it's about the games."
And now, Dean has found himself on the end of a torrent of criticism after saying he would set himself side-quests during matches, such as waiting as long as possible to blow his whistle.
#dean #refereeing #himself #premier
Dean has not refereed since retiring in 2022 after a 22-year officiating career, during which he took charge of 553 top-flight games.
While one of the most recognisable in his field, the 58-year-old was also a notably controversial figure for his unique manner of refereeing, with on-pitch gags and his self-admitted "arrogance" sometimes seeing him end up under the spotlight.
Pundit Garth Crooks famously blasted Dean as "petulant schoolteacher" in a now widely-shared clip on BBC's Final Score in 2015, saying: "He wants to be the star too often. It's really getting on my nerves because he's spoiling great games. It's not about you, Mike, it's about the games."
And now, Dean has found himself on the end of a torrent of criticism after saying he would set himself side-quests during matches, such as waiting as long as possible to blow his whistle.
#dean #refereeing #himself #premier
5 days ago
