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#Post#: 111144--------------------------------------------------
Mike Dean 'messing about'
DIR By: El Referee
Date: September 3, 2026, 7:26 am
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He's probably not helping todays officials by saying things like
this. Conspiracy theorists will have a field day
HTML https://www.dazn.com/en-US/news/soccer/premier-league-mike-dean-jamie-vardy-mike-read/1u47ra8edqwaz1aikrn45uxae0
#Post#: 111147--------------------------------------------------
Re: Mike Dean 'messing about'
DIR By: HChip
Date: September 3, 2026, 8:55 am
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Social Media will blow up when a team feel hard done by a
decision, and they’ll now start claiming the referee was playing
minigames.
Considering Mike didn’t send Anthony Taylor to the screen
because he was a ‘mate’, he’s now putting his ‘mates’ under some
awful pressure.
#Post#: 111148--------------------------------------------------
Re: Mike Dean 'messing about'
DIR By: El Referee
Date: September 3, 2026, 9:39 am
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--- Quote from: HChip link ---
>
> Social Media will blow up when a team feel hard done by a
decision, and they’ll now start claiming the referee was playing
minigames.
>
> Considering Mike didn’t send Anthony Taylor to the screen
because he was a ‘mate’, he’s now putting his ‘mates’ under some
awful pressure.
>
--- End Quote ---
Yup, my point exactly
In reality, I'd bet he did this during a dead rubber and when
games were 4/5-0. But puts the current crop under a lot of
pressure
#Post#: 111149--------------------------------------------------
Re: Mike Dean 'messing about'
DIR By: BabyRef
Date: September 3, 2026, 9:42 am
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What is it about highly regarded ex-referees that inspires them
to say daft stuff like this in interviews? I remember
Clattenburg doing similar stuff about ignoring mandatory red
cards if the players agreed they wanted to kick the s*** out of
each other beforehand. Not sure if they're trying to impress
ex-players but the stories are unhelpful, and likely totally
made up - I'm sure a PL assessor would absolutely tear strips
off any ref who didn't leave the centre circle!
#Post#: 111151--------------------------------------------------
Re: Mike Dean 'messing about'
DIR By: Whistleblower
Date: September 3, 2026, 9:50 am
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It's really rather sad and pathetic when those who have left the
spotlight still crave it and start saying daft and very
unprofessional things to gain attention. In trying to fit in
with laddish culture I'm afraid Mike Dean just erodes the
respect in which he was held for being a very good, though not
superlative, referee.
#Post#: 111152--------------------------------------------------
Re: Mike Dean 'messing about'
DIR By: DublinRef
Date: September 3, 2026, 10:03 am
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It’s disappointing indeed.
As Dale Johnson suggested in his article, and I’d agree with
him, there seems to be a deep desire amongst certain former
referees to be ‘one of the lads.’ Especially when speaking with
former footballers.
I find this quite a sad desire. Referees will never be accepted
into the ‘footballing fraternity’ like players, so they
shouldn’t go around selling themselves to attempt to do so. The
irony for me is that Mike Dean was always, to my eye, quite a
‘referees referee’ stricter than many and not especially chatty,
at least visibly (unlike say Clattenburg) on the pitch.
I just think it’s regrettable and selfish. Dean and Clattenburg
have done little to enhance the stature of referees, with
behaviour that to me at times looks like increasing desperation
to be ‘part of the club.’ Graham Scott on the other hand has
demonstrated an alternative post refereeing media career is
possible, with his thoughtful and insightful contributions.
Top level referees should just be happy to be top level
referees. This constant yearning to be seen as a ‘lad’ or
‘joker’ or ‘one of the boys’ is very disheartening indeed.
In reality Mike they are laughing at you, not with you. Deep
down he must know that.
#Post#: 111153--------------------------------------------------
Re: Mike Dean 'messing about'
DIR By: Claretman
Date: September 3, 2026, 11:35 am
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I think i heard Graham Scott on the radio say he didnt think
Mike was like that as a referee, having heard his numerous team
talks ahead of games, as 4th i guess. He said he didnt believe
Mike actually did these things during games but as with all
podcasts etc probably just said it for the clicks and to gain
the podcast attention.
#Post#: 111154--------------------------------------------------
Re: Mike Dean 'messing about'
DIR By: rustyref
Date: September 3, 2026, 1:38 pm
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This is the problem with the media, especially in England,
people feel the need to be controversial to stay current and be
kept in their role. I don't for one minute think he did what he
said he did, but it creates a story which gets him interviews,
further podcasts, and generally more attention. Not really that
different to when people come out of reality TV shows and say
things that just didn't happen, if they just told the truth it
would be deemed boring and not sensationalist enough so they'd
get no attention.
#Post#: 111156--------------------------------------------------
Re: Mike Dean 'messing about'
DIR By: mac
Date: September 3, 2026, 3:47 pm
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After a pretty positive start for the group, this sort of naive
comment is the last thing anyone needs. Straight off the
transfer window closing, nothing else to talk about til the
weekend…let’s dig the refs out again.
It’s probably nothing, but some things best left unsaid.
#Post#: 111157--------------------------------------------------
Re: Mike Dean 'messing about'
DIR By: TA_Ref
Date: September 3, 2026, 3:58 pm
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I think everyone who has already posted has summed the whole
situation up quite well. But I’d like to add a few more
thoughts.
I strongly doubt that this a whole ProRef/PGMO issue and this is
simply more of a Mike Dean issue (but not 100% ruling out the
possibility that it may still happen now). But as HChip said,
social media has already had a field day with this. My X feed
has been full of football fans criticising his words and using
his words to question the integrity of the modern day officials.
Sadly, this is reflective of the current culture towards match
officials.
If referees of the past want to move into media, then they
should be the voice of reason behind dubious calls and
controversial decisions etc. What they shouldn’t be doing is
throwing out ridiculous comments that not only make himself look
like an idiot but put our current crop of officials under the
spotlight, more intensely than before. But, unfortunately,
that’s the way the media has changed. Media want controversy,
they want debate rather than trying to be a half decent news
outlet. I’ve never heard of this new Jamie Vardy Podcast until
today. I imagine Mike Dean didn’t until he was asked to go on
it. So, to gain publicity, what do you do? “Oh Mike, if you can
say something during our recording that will get views please
then that would be great”. That’s the reality of what we’re
facing.
And it’s not what his comments do to himself in making him look
like an idiot. Instead of trying to turn a toxic culture more
positive, he’s making it even more sour by making comments that
fans can take in any direction. Any decision that goes against a
team this weekend “oh it’s just a game that the referee is
playing”. I can assure you that will happen this weekend.
What a selfish and arrogant person he is to keep himself
relevant and in the face of the media.
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