Mike Dean Sparks Refereeing Outrage After Revealing the Secret Games He Played During Premier League Matches
Former Premier League referee Mike Dean has reignited debate over officiating after admitting that he used to play personal “games” during matches — including seeing how long he could go without blowing his whistle or leaving the centre circle.
The revelation has triggered an angry reaction from supporters, with some describing the former official’s behaviour as “diabolical” and “unprofessional”.
Dean made the comments while appearing on Jamie Vardy’s Having a Party podcast, looking back on his 22-year refereeing career.
He admitted that, before VAR was introduced, he and other officials would sometimes challenge each other to see how long they could allow play to continue without stopping the game.
“There used to be games that we used to have, as a laugh, we used to say, ‘Right, we’ll kick off now, right? See how long we can go without blowing a whistle,’” Dean said.
“Done that a few times in the Premier, before VAR obviously. Went 20–25 minutes without blowing a whistle a few times. Let it go, let it go, let it go.”
Dean’s centre-circle challenge
Dean also revealed another game he played during Premier League matches — attempting to remain inside the centre circle for as long as possible.
“I used to do another thing in 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,” he explained.
“That was just me joking about. The lads used to be on the line saying ‘you can’t’. I said ‘I’ll try it’. I just used to run around but don’t come out of it. Got about 15 minutes once in one game, without leaving the centre circle.”
Although Dean presented the stories as jokes from the period before VAR, his admission has been met with considerable criticism from supporters who questioned whether such behaviour was appropriate for a professional referee.
One fan wrote: “Why are they laughing at this? It’s disgusting from a supposed top referee. Messing around while fans pay hundreds of pounds for matches to be officiated professionally.”
Another questioned what else might have been happening during matches, writing: “What else was going on that he’s not disclosing? And they call themselves professional.”
A further supporter pointed to the potential consequences of allowing fouls to go unpunished, saying they had watched numerous matches where referees allowed play to continue after tactical fouls had stopped promising attacks.
“Lost for words… muppets!” they posted on X.
Another fan acknowledged the difficulty of refereeing but argued that Dean’s comments had done little to help the profession.
“I think it’s such a hard job and they get blamed for everything but this isn’t helping them,” the supporter said. “How can you decide to not blow your whistle?”
One person went as far as saying: “Every fan should be refunded for this.”
Pro Ref declined to comment when approached.
Dean’s controversial refereeing career
Dean, now 61, retired from refereeing in 2022 after a career spanning 22 years and 553 top-flight matches. He subsequently worked as a video assistant referee before leaving that position in 2023.
He became a Premier League referee in 2000, having begun officiating in 1985, and developed a reputation as one of English football’s most recognisable — and controversial — officials.
His latest comments have also drawn criticism from former Premier League striker Gabriel Agbonlahor, who branded Dean a “prat” and accused him of bringing the sport into disrepute.
Speaking on talkSPORT, the former Aston Villa forward said: “You’re not funny, Mike Dean, and that sums you up. What do you mean? You’re playing on when it’s a foul. You’re throwing yourself under the bus.”
“I don’t find that funny at all. Don’t blow your whistle during the game. Are you a child? It doesn’t sit right with me at all. You managed a lot of games that I played in.”
Agbonlahor also recalled his own difficult relationship with Dean, accusing the former referee of having an arrogant manner.
“I didn’t get on with Mike Dean at all. It’s good that referees give it back to players but he had that arrogance about him. One word to describe him I would say is a prat.”
He questioned whether Dean’s decision to allow play to continue could have resulted in missed penalties, free-kicks or disciplinary decisions.
“Referees are up and down so they don’t miss anything. You might have missed penalties or free kicks or last man taking out a player because you want to joke and stay in the centre circle,” Agbonlahor said.
“Did you have a good giggle afterwards? Was it really funny, Mike? That sums up your personality. Embarrassing.”
Agbonlahor added that he believed Dean’s comments were genuine rather than an attempt at humour.
“I believe him. He didn’t look like he was joking. I’m not going to have him come out and say he was joking; he said that with heart. He’s got a lot to answer.”
Previous VAR controversy
Dean has previously admitted to another controversial decision from his time as a VAR.
During the fiery Chelsea-Tottenham draw in August 2022, Dean was responsible for VAR and later revealed that he chose not to send referee Anthony Taylor to the monitor to review a hair pull on Chelsea defender Marc Cucurella.
Dean subsequently admitted that, with Taylor already having endured a difficult match, he did not want to put his fellow official through further scrutiny.
“I missed the stupid hair pull at Chelsea versus Tottenham which was pathetic from my point of view,” Dean said on Simon Jordan’s Up Front podcast.
“It’s one of them where if I had my time again, what would I do? I’d send Anthony [Taylor] to the screen.”
He explained that Taylor had already cautioned both managers and faced a demanding end-to-end match.
“I think I knew if I did send him to the screen… he’s cautioned both managers, he’s had a hell of a game, it’s been such a tough game end to end.”
Dean said he later told Taylor: “I just didn’t want to send you to the screen after what has gone on in the game.”
“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.”
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Fresh questions over refereeing standards
RefSupportUK suggested there was an element of hypocrisy in the reaction to Dean’s comments compared with how similar behaviour from a player might be viewed, but nevertheless acknowledged the damage his remarks could cause.
“Mike Dean has now made it more difficult for refs at every level by these stupid comments and brought into question the integrity of the game. Wonder if he has a book coming out?” the group posted on X.
Dean’s revelations relate to the period before VAR, meaning the matches in question took place before 2019. But coming after his previous admission about the Chelsea-Tottenham incident, they have once again placed his approach to officiating under scrutiny.
For a profession already facing intense pressure from supporters, players and clubs, the controversy has raised fresh questions about the standards expected from those entrusted with making decisions at the highest level of English football.
