Though they don’t usually reach anywhere near the recognition that players do, referees are still a crucial part of the game. Mike Dean is one such individual who started his career as a referee back in 2000 and since then has been responsible for backtracking several football matches. He has refereed a total of 550 matches throughout his career. In 2022 Mike Dean took a break and shifted to become a full-time Video Assistant Referee or VAR.
Mike became famous for his flashy way of issuing cards. He was also seen in a viral reel celebrating in the stands for the club he has supported since childhood. The 55-year-old is now receiving a lot of hate from the football community since making a shocking confession.
Mike Dean casually admits to his controversial VAR decision last season
The Premier League match between Chelsea and Tottenham last season was deemed controversial due to some of the decisions made by the referees. Chelsea was leading with a score of 2-1 and they had a chance to extend their lead when the team won a corner.
It was at this time when Spurs defender Cristian Romero pulled the hair of Marc Cucurella in the penalty area. Chelsea appealed for a penalty but it was rejected. Later in the game, Spurs managed to draw the match by scoring a last-minute goal bringing the score to 2-2.
Mike Dean has now accepted that he decided to stay quiet on the matter because he did not want to cause “any more grief” to his mate Anthony Taylor. He admits that he would send Anthony to the screen if he got another chance but that is now impossible.
“I didn’t want to send him up because he is a mate as well as a referee and I think I didn’t want to send him up because I didn’t want any more grief than he already had. Anthony is big and bald and ugly enough to know if he is going to the screen he is going to the screen for a reason. If someone pulls their hair now it’s dead easy. It’s just a brainwave by me, a really bad call by me, and it kind of affected me as VAR going forward.” he said.
Soccer community reacts to Mike Dean’s blatant confession
Mike Dean refers to his decision as a “pathetic” call, he has now opted out of being a video assistant referee but the damage is already done. This confession of his has not garnered any sympathy from fans, especially Chelsea supporters are enraged by this revelation terming his actions as “Disgraceful”.
He can admit it now as there's no jeopardy! Disgraceful! 🤬🤬🤬
— Roger Cumberbatch ⭐⭐ (@chelsearog1966) August 24, 2023
More tweets were made against Dean naming his confession as a “Confession of corruption” while some fans expressed their thoughts against the whole VAR concept in their tweets. Though Dean is now out of the picture, his actions have created doubts regarding VAR among many soccer fans.
