Mike Dean speaks up about his controversial podcast comments and admits they “came out a bit wrong.”
Former Premier League referee Mike Dean recently opened up about a fun habit he had during games. Dean, who officiated 553 Premier League matches before retiring in 2022, shared some interesting details on the Jamie Vardy’s Having A Party podcast.
The 58-year-old revealed he used to challenge himself during matches by playing little “mini-games.” For example, he would see how long he could go without blowing his whistle or how long he could stay inside the center circle.
On the podcast, Dean said, “Sometimes we’d start the game and try to go as long as possible without blowing the whistle. I managed to get 20 to 25 minutes a few times before VAR was around. I also tried standing in the center circle without stepping out, which was just for fun. I once stayed there for about 15 minutes!”
Pro Ref, the group in charge of professional refereeing, looked into these claims and found no proof that these challenges actually affected his officiating.
When asked if he ever ignored the rules on purpose, Dean said, “No way. If I had, I wouldn’t have gotten as many games, or stayed on the list for 25 years. I always did my job properly. I had a good time, and I think the players did, too.”
Dean added, “Looking back, maybe I shouldn’t have said those things, but it’s out there now. I always tried to keep the game flowing and only gave free-kicks when I really had to. You learn from your mistakes.”
He also shared a statement on Instagram, saying, “During my 25 years as a referee, I always followed the Laws of the Game. I liked to let the game run smoothly and only stepped in when necessary. I never meant to disrespect refereeing or those who do it.”
Dean wrapped up by saying, “I’ve always respected being a referee and the responsibility that comes with it.”