MIKE DEAN left crew members on Jamie Vardy’s podcast stunned after revealing he played “games” while refereeing Premier League matches.
The ex-official, 58, sent shockwaves through football after reflecting on his career.
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And furious Premier League sides have launched internal probes following Dean’s claims on Jamie Vardy’s Having a Party.
His revelations included going as long as possible without blowing his whistle and staying camped in the centre circle during showdowns.
Dean surprised Vardy and those working behind the scenes when he made the admission while the cameras were rolling.
A show insider exclusively told SunSport: “We didn’t think he was being serious.
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“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 has come under fire since admitting he used to amuse himself in the middle of Premier League clashes.
Speaking to former England striker Vardy, the ex-ref – who became a dedicated VAR official after hanging up his whistle in 2022 – said: “There used to be games we’d have, as a laugh.
“We used to say, ‘we’ll kick-off now, right, see how long we can go without blowing a whistle’.
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“I done that a few times in the Premier League, before VAR obviously. Went 20, 25 minutes without blowing a whistle. Few times… let it go, let it go, let it go.”
Dean added: “I used to do another thing in the Premier League. I used to stand in the centre circle and see how long I could stay in the centre circle before I had to leave.
“That was just me, joking about. The lads that used to be on the line would say ‘you can’t’. I got to about 15 minutes once, in one game.”
Dean hit back at suggestions the games clouded his judgement on the pitch 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.
“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.
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“I have always respected the profession and the responsibility that comes with being a referee.”
SunSport understands officiating chiefs at Pro Ref are deeply sceptical of Dean’s shock claims.
But his comments resulted in shock, anger and disbelief among those in charge.
Pro Ref does not believe there is anything to back up the admission, with some convinced Dean was simply playing to the audience.
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SunSport whistleblower Mark Halsey dismissed the boasts as “nonsense” and made accusations of an “ego trip”.
Fellow ex-Premier League ref Graham Scott described Dean’s claims as “dispiriting clickbait”.