Aug 25 – In a candid revelation, Mike Dean, a former Premier League referee, shed light on his decision-making process during a pivotal VAR incident that occurred during last season’s intense clash between Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur. Dean explained his choice to not alert a fellow official to a missed call via the VAR system, attributing his decision to a desire to spare his colleague further controversy.
During the heated encounter at Stamford Bridge in August of the previous year, Dean, now 55, assumed the role of Video Assistant Referee. It was a match marked by its intensity, and one particular incident stood out when Tottenham’s Cristian Romero pulled Chelsea’s Marc Cucurella to the ground by his hair during a corner kick. Regrettably, the on-field referee, Anthony Taylor, failed to recognize the foul, and Spurs managed to capitalize on this oversight by netting a late equalizer in the ensuing play.
Dean reflected on this critical moment during an interview on the Up Front podcast. “I missed the stupid hair pull at Chelsea versus Tottenham which was pathetic from my point of view,” Dean admitted candidly. “It’s one of those situations where, if I had the chance to revisit it, what would I do differently? I would have instructed Anthony to review the footage.”
In a heartfelt explanation, Dean further elaborated, “I spoke with Anthony afterwards: ‘I simply didn’t want to burden you with reviewing the footage given the context of the match’.” His decision was partly driven by his personal relationship with Taylor. “I refrained from initiating the review because Anthony is not just a colleague, he’s a friend. I didn’t want to add to the challenges he was already facing,” Dean added.
As a veteran of over 550 Premier League matches and a full-time VAR official in the previous season, Dean faced repercussions for his role in the controversial incident. He was removed from VAR duty for a period of two months following the match. Subsequently, in July, the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) confirmed Dean’s departure from the referees’ body, marking a significant transition in his career.
Dean openly acknowledged the gravity of the situation. “That was a major lapse in judgment. Had they not scored from the corner, the issue might not have escalated to the same extent,” he conceded, a sentiment he had already expressed at the time of the incident. Anticipating the consequences, he recalled, “I was well aware that I would be sidelined the following week. I requested some time off as I realized that the role was no longer the right fit for me.”
The pressures of the VAR role took a toll on Dean’s mindset, as he revealed, “I used to dread matchdays. On Fridays, I’d get into my car with a sense of apprehension, hoping that the upcoming Saturday would be uneventful. I was often anxious while occupying the chair.”
Dean’s candid insights into the challenges and dilemmas faced by referees and VAR officials provide a glimpse into the complex world of football officiating, where decisions carry far-reaching implications for the game and its participants.
