Refereeing body issue statement in reaction to Mike Dean’s confession

The Professional Game Match Officials Ltd (PGMOL) has issued a response to Mike Dean’s remarks about a controversial VAR mistake he made during the 2022/23 football season.

Mike Dean, who once stood a seasoned official with nearly 30 years of experience, retired as a referee in 2022 but continued as a video assistant referee (VAR) for the subsequent season.

The incident in question occurred during the dramatic derby between Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea, that resulted in a lot of dramatic narratives aside the 2-2 draw.

Dean’s VAR oversight involved a missed hair pull by Cristiano Romero on Marc Cucurella, just before Harry Kane’s last-minute equalizer.

The contentious decision garnered attention for its impact on the outcome of the match.

While Dean initially admitted his error and expressed that he should have instructed the on-field referee, Anthony Taylor, to review the incident on the VAR monitor, his recent appearance on the “Up Front with Simon Jordan” podcast stirred controversy.

Mike Dean revealed that he refrained from sending Taylor to the screen due to a personal connection, as Taylor is both a friend and a fellow referee. He expressed concern about adding more “grief” to Taylor’s already challenging match.

Dean’s candid admission raised concerns about the integrity of referees and the potential influence of personal relationships on critical decisions. As a consequence of his remarks, the PGMOL, responsible for overseeing match officials, issued a statement addressing the matter.

A spokesperson emphasized that VAR officials receive comprehensive training to collaborate effectively with on-field referees to rectify clear and obvious errors. They strongly refuted any suggestions that VAR officials intentionally refrain from intervening when they identify such errors.

In the same podcast interview, Dean openly acknowledged another contentious decision he made during Southampton’s infamous 9-0 defeat to Manchester United. He admitted that his decision to send off Jan Bednarek was “completely wrong.”

The red card was later overturned upon appeal, highlighting the significance of accurate officiating.

As the new season approaches, Mike Dean has stepped down from his position as a match official. He has embarked on a new venture with Sky Sports, where he will offer “match official insight” on the Gillette Soccer Saturday program.

This transition marks the end of Dean’s long and eventful career in officiating, during which he achieved both acclaim and scrutiny for his on-field and VAR decisions.