Retired Premier League referee Mike Dean has admitted to engaging in 'minigames' during matches, including seeing how long he could refrain from blowing his whistle and how long he could stay in the center circle. The revelations, made on Jamie Vardy's podcast, have sparked outrage among football fans who are calling for an investigation into the former official.
Dean, 58, officiated in the Premier League for over two decades before retiring in 2023. He revealed that, prior to the introduction of VAR, he would sometimes test himself by not blowing the whistle for periods of 20 to 25 minutes. He also admitted to another game where he would try to remain in the center circle for as long as possible, once staying there for approximately 15 minutes.
Fans have taken to social media to express their displeasure, with many questioning the integrity of matches officiated by Dean. Some users have suggested that his actions constitute corruption, altering potential match outcomes for personal amusement. Comments highlighted on social media described Dean's admissions as 'baffling' and questioned his professionalism.
Dean himself acknowledged that there were times he wanted to be more of a 'part of the game than what I should have been' and that he would celebrate successful advantage plays. However, fans remain critical, with some stating that his primary focus should have been on officiating games correctly rather than engaging in personal games.
