Mike Dean walks back 'mini games' claim after fellow referee calls it 'palpable nonsense'

Former Premier League referee Mike Dean has released a public statement clarifying his controversial remarks about playing personal “mini games” during top-flight matches, after the comments sparked a backlash from supporters and fellow officials alike.

Speaking on Jamie Vardy’s podcast, Dean claimed he would challenge himself to go as long as possible without blowing his whistle — reaching 20 to 25 minutes on occasion — and would also try to remain inside the centre circle for as long as he could during live play. “That was just me joking about,” he said. “I got about 15 minutes once.”

The remarks prompted calls for the Football Association to open a formal investigation. In response, Dean posted a statement to his social media accounts: “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.”

He added: “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.”

Fellow former Premier League referee Graham Scott was unsparing in his assessment of the original claims. Speaking on talkSPORT, Scott said: “I worked with Mike loads at times — they’re not true stories. It’s kind of the audio equivalent of clickbait, to try and get people interested and laughing. It’s palpable nonsense.”

Scott acknowledged Dean’s standing in the game while questioning the impact of the comments. “Mike Dean was of course an outstanding ref, but it makes it so much harder when retired referees either bash their former colleagues for the sake of it. It’s fine to criticise — I do that — but do it with a bit of context and a bit of empathy.”

He went further, issuing a direct challenge to Dean: “I challenge Mike and say, ‘Okay, would you stand in front of the current refs and repeat all of those things?’ And of course he wouldn’t, because they’re not true.”