Mike Dean responds via social media after receiving backlash over his secret games while refereeing matches revelation.
The former Premier League referee appeared on the latest episode of Jamie Vardy’s podcast, admitting he used to play secret mini-games while on the pitch.
Mike Dean said: “There used to be games that we used to have “We used to say, ‘Right, we’ll kick off now, right? See how long we can go without blowing a whistle.’ A few times, let it go, let it go, let it go.
“I’ve done that a few times in the Premier League, before VAR obviously. Went 20–25 minutes without blowing a whistle a few times.”
“I used to do another thing with me on the Premier League. I used to stand in the centre circle and see how long I could stay in the centre circle before I had to leave. That was just me joking about.
“But the lads used to be on the line and say, can’t, I say I’ll try it. See how, I used to just like kind of run that, kind of go and don’t come out of it… got about 15 minutes once in one game without leaving the centre circle.”
Mike Dean receives backlash after admitting to playing secret games during Prem matches
Appearing on Sky Sports News’ Soccer Saturday, he said: “As a referee my threshold was always high as a ref not to give free kicks or as minimum amount of free kicks as I can. If I can keep the game flowing, I’ll keep it flowing.
“Yes, if I have got to step in I would give the free kick, but it is one of those things you learn by mistakes.
“Obviously I have said something this week that has come out a little bit wrong. I think I could have worded it a bit better than what I said, but we live and learn and hopefully we can move on from it.”
@adamcleryfc We think we’ve cracked the Mike Dean case…🕵️♂️ #mikedean #premierleague #football ♬ original sound – Adam Clery Football Channel
He has since taken to his Instagram stories, posting: “Throughout my 25 years as a professional referee, I have always applied the Laws of the Game to the best of my ability.
“My approach as a referee was always to allow the game to flow and whenever possible I preferred to apply a high threshold for contact which the players liked. However, if I saw a foul challenge that needed me to take the appropriate action I would give it from the correct position.
“At no stage was it my intention to question, criticise or undermine the integrity of refereeing in this country. I have always respected the profession and the responsibility that comes with being a referee.”
A show insider has told SunSport: “We didn’t think he was being serious.
“It felt like he just wanted to be one of the lads and say some funny stuff. It felt like he wanted to have a bit of banter to be one of the lads.”
As reported by talkSPORT, Pro Ref (formerly PGMOL), have said reportedly reviewed the claims and say there is no evidence to suggest such practices did happen.
Ex-Premier League referee Graham Scott said to talkSPORT: “I could imagine a situation in which he thought after 20 minutes of not giving one, let’s see how long it goes. But by the time he gets in the pub at half past ten at night, that became, oh, yeah, we decided beforehand we weren’t going to give anything. I can kind of see how that might work.
“But it’s so dispiriting because being a referee is difficult. I think most people I speak to go, I couldn’t do your job.
“As much as I would criticise you. I have every sympathy. I say, well, thank you for that. It’s very kind.
“But it makes it so much harder when retired referees either bash their former colleagues for the sake of it or to find criticism.
“I do that, but do it with a bit of context and a bit of empathy or do this, which is to embellish stories to the point where they’re saying it just for effect. It’s very, very sad, really.”
As you can imagine, social media users and pundits on talkSPORT (we’ve lost count if how many?!) have fuelled the backlash further with their take on it.
Former footballer turned talkSPORT pundit Jason Cundy gave his thoughts on it: “Liar. He’s a liar. I don’t believe a word that’s come out of his mouth. You cannot stand as a referee for 15 minutes in the centre circle. He’d get done.
“He’s lying to everyone. I don’t know why he is doing it. I don’t believe him. I heard this earlier, that one (staying within the centre circle for as long as possible), is absolute rubbish. That’s easy to find out.
“Go to every game that he refereed in the Premier League. It’s rubbish, he’s a liar. The other one when he was waving ‘Play on, play on’ for 20 minutes. I don’t know what’s going on inside his head, but that’s absolute BS.”
He continued: “All you are doing is making the referees who have followed your path, where every single referee and every single decision is scrutinised, and he’s sat there with his legs crossed laughing and joking about something that is so important.
“Let’s say he’s right and he stayed in the centre circle for 15 minutes. How is that helping the future generation of referees in the Premier League? We know as fans how critical we are of refs.
“Now we have someone who is sitting there, smug, laughing, trying to make light of one of the most important jobs in football, every Saturday, when we follow our football club, and he’s making a joke about trying to stay in the football circle.”
Here’s some more takes from talkSPORT pundits…
