I used to play in-match games as a laugh - Dean
Former Premier League referee Mike Dean says he would stay in the centre circle for as long as he could during a match.
Former Premier League referee Mike Dean revealed during a recent podcast that he used to engage in mini-challenges during matches as a joke. He mentioned attempting to go without blowing his whistle for 20-25 minutes and staying inside the center circle for up to 15 minutes. These playful attempts were meant to be lighthearted and did not interfere with the match.
However, Dean's previous statements have often stirred controversy, such as when he did not send off Tottenham's Cristian Romero for pulling Marc Cucurella's hair during a match against Chelsea in 2022. Dean retired as a full-time referee in 2022 after a 28-year career, which included officiating in the Football League and the Premier League.
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Also reported by 2 other outlets
- I used to play in-match games as a laugh – Dean kahawatungu.com
- I used to play in-match games as a laugh - Dean bbc.co.uk
