EAGLE-EYED fans are adamant they have found a Premier League clash where referee Mike Dean amused himself by playing mini-games.
The former official, 58, admitted he would go as long as possible without using his whistle and stay in the centre circle during an appearance on Jamie Vardy’s podcast.
4
4
Dean’s stunning claims have left Premier League sides irate, with some launching internal probes and trawling through video footage.
And West Brom’s 1-0 win over Manchester United in March 2016 has been pinpointed as a showdown where the ex-ref let his mind wander.
Video journalist Adam Clery has revealed he spent a day scouring through Dean’s performances.
During United’s defeat at the Hawthorns, when Juan Mata was sent off, the man in the middle managed to get through the first 19 minutes of the contest without blowing his whistle.
READ MORE ON FOOTBALL
fever pitch
Ellie Watkins’ pals reveal heartbreak for WAG after Ollie’s £51m move to Saudi
Welcome player
Join Sun Vegas now and claim a 100% deposit match bonus and 100 free spins
And West Brom went on to bag their first home win over the Red Devils for 32 years as Salomon Rondon grabbed the only goal of the now-controversial encounter.
Fans are convinced Dean allowed a number of poorly-timed tackles to go unpunished because of setting himself a personal challenge.
One said: “I remember this game and that red card was ridiculous.”
Another added: “United should sue the league.”
Most read in Sport
UNDER FIRE
Greenwood and Guendouzi under Uefa investigation over ‘offensive gestures’
fever pitch
Ellie Watkins’ pals reveal heartbreak for WAG after Ollie’s £51m move to Saudi
KEEP HIM KEANE
Roy Keane reveals strict ‘boundaries’ with son-in-law after joining Villa
TAKING THE MICK
Dean breaks silence on bombshell games confession as clubs probe ex-ref
SUN VEGAS WELCOME OFFER: GET UP TO £100 BONUS
Friday 4 September
Ipswich
0 – 2
EPL
Liverpool
Saturday 5 September
Newcastle
12:30
EPL
Bournemouth
Brentford
15:00
EPL
Sunderland
Brighton
15:00
EPL
Leeds
Fulham
15:00
EPL
Palace
Man City
15:00
EPL
Coventry
Friday 4 September
Ipswich
0 – 2
EPL
Liverpool
Monday 31 August
Villa
0 – 1
EPL
Arsenal
Sunday 30 August
Man Utd
5 – 2
EPL
Ipswich
Sunderland
1 – 0
EPL
Fulham
Leeds
1 – 1
EPL
Brentford
English Premier League
Pld
Pts
GD
W
D
L
Form
1
2
6
4
2
0
0
2
2
6
4
2
0
0
3
2
6
3
2
0
0
4
2
6
2
2
0
0
5
3
5
2
1
2
0
6
2
4
3
1
1
0
7
2
4
2
1
1
0
8
2
4
2
1
1
0
A third chimed in: “And there it is.”
A fourth noted: “Disgrace.”
And a fifth claimed: “As someone who regularly bets on fouls, this genuinely is scandalous.”
Dean’s admission stunned crew members working on Jamie Vardy’s Having a Party.
A show insider exclusively told SunSport: “We didn’t think he was being serious.
“It felt like he just wanted to be one of the lads and say some funny stuff. It felt like he wanted to have a bit of banter to be one of the lads.”
Dean broke his silence after the bombshell comments by releasing a statement.
It read: “Throughout my 25 years as a professional referee, I have always applied the laws of the game to the best of my ability.
4
4
“My approach as a referee was always to allow the game to flow and whenever possible I preferred to apply a high threshold for contact which the players liked.
“However, if I saw a foul challenge that needed me to take the appropriate action I would give it from the correct position.
“At no stage was it my intention to question, criticise or undermine the integrity of refereeing in this country.
“I have always respected the profession and the responsibility that comes with being a referee.”
RECOMMENDED STORIES
SunSport understands officiating chiefs at Pro Ref are deeply sceptical of Dean’s stunning claims.
Some are convinced he was simply playing to the audience during the tell-all interview.