Former Premier League referee Mike Dean has sparked controversy with his admission of playing "minigames" during matches, including seeing how long he could go without blowing his whistle and how long he could remain in the center circle. Dean, who retired in 2023 after more than two decades officiating in English football's top flight, made these disclosures on Jamie Vardy's "Having a Party" podcast.
Dean revealed that before the implementation of VAR, he and other referees would engage in games for amusement. "There used to be games we would have for a laugh," Dean said. "It would kick-off, right; see how long we could go without blowing a whistle. I done that a few times in the Premier League, before VAR, obviously. Went 20, 25 minutes without blowing the whistle."
He also described another "game" where he would try to "stay in the centre circle for as long as he could before I had to leave." According to Dean, he once managed to stay in the center circle for approximately 15 minutes during a game.
These statements have drawn sharp criticism from football fans online, with many expressing their disbelief and anger. Social media platforms saw widespread discussion, with some users calling for an investigation into Dean's past officiating. One X user commented, "Why the f***'s he admitting to this? 'Oooh look at me I ruined the integrity of top level football matches while getting paid a fucking fortune for a laugh." Another described the admissions as "baffling" and questioned the mentality of officials who treat the game in such a manner.
Dean acknowledged that there was sometimes an element of wanting to be the "centre of attention" during his time on the field. He stated, "It's about wanting to be more a part of the game than what I should have been." He also mentioned celebrating successful advantage plays or correct decisions with colleagues.
However, fans have largely dismissed these explanations, with many viewing his actions as a breach of professional conduct. "Professional' referee by the way. This is something you would expect from a Sunday league keeper who’s earning pittance to get abused," one fan wrote. Others suggested that officials should concentrate on officiating properly rather than engaging in such "silly little games."
Some have gone as far as to label Dean's admitted practices as "corruption," arguing that deliberately delaying whistle-blowing could tacitly influence match outcomes. The revelations have reignited debates about the integrity of refereeing in top-tier football.