{
  "id": 5458671,
  "title": "I used to play in-match games as a laugh – Dean",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/04/i-used-to-play-in-match-games-as-a-laugh-dean",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-04T01:12:58.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Adom Online",
    "slug": "adom-online",
    "url": "https://www.adomonline.com/i-used-to-play-in-match-games-as-a-laugh-dean/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Former Premier League referee Mike Dean revealed during an interview that he used to engage in mini-challenges during matches for amusement. He would attempt to go without blowing his whistle for extended periods or remain inside the centre circle. Dean recalled instances where he managed to go 20 to 25 minutes without blowing the whistle and once stayed in the centre circle for about 15 minutes. These actions were, according to him, mere jokes. However, Mark Halsey, a former Premier League referee, dismissed Dean's claims, stating that he had never heard of such games and doubted their authenticity. Halsey questioned the integrity of referees if Dean had indeed played these games.",
  "summary": "Former Premier League referee Mike Dean says he used to set himself mini-challenges during matches “as a laugh”. Appearing on Jamie Vardy’s podcast, Dean said he would see how long he could go without blowing his whistle, or stay inside the centre circle. “We used to say, ‘we’ll kick off now. Right, see how long […]",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 4,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "BBC Sport Football",
        "title": "I used to play in-match games as a laugh - Dean",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/03/i-used-to-play-in-match-games-as-a-laugh-dean",
        "published": "2026-09-03T11:45:09.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Yahoo Sports",
        "title": "I used to play in-match games as a laugh - Dean",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/03/i-used-to-play-in-match-games-as-a-laugh-dean-5328871",
        "published": "2026-09-03T12:37:30.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "KahawaTungu",
        "title": "I used to play in-match games as a laugh – Dean",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/03/i-used-to-play-in-match-games-as-a-laugh-dean-5347174",
        "published": "2026-09-03T14:02:37.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}