Mike Dean walks back referee 'mini-games' claims but insists he always did his job professionally

Former Premier League referee Mike Dean publicly walked back his controversial ‘mini-games’ comments on Soccer Saturday, telling presenter Simon Thomas he regrets the remarks but insists he never deliberately failed to apply the laws of the game during his 25-year career.

Dean had caused widespread outrage earlier in the week after appearing on the ‘Jamie Vardy’s Having a Party’ podcast, where he claimed he would “joke about” during matches and would challenge himself to see how long he could go without blowing his whistle or leaving the centre circle. The comments drew immediate criticism from former officials and raised questions about the integrity of top-flight officiating.

Asked directly whether he had ever deliberately misapplied the rules, Dean was unequivocal: “No, because if I did, I wouldn’t have got as many games as I did. And I wouldn’t have been on the list for 25 years. I did my job properly and professionally for the full 25 years.”

Dean, 58, from the Wirral, had already released a written statement on Friday insisting it was never his intention to “criticise or undermine the integrity” of his fellow officials. On air, he elaborated on what he said he actually meant — that his natural approach was to keep his whistle in his pocket and let the game flow. “My threshold was always high as a ref and not to give free-kicks,” he said. “If I can keep the game flowing, I would keep it flowing.”

He acknowledged the original wording had been poorly chosen. “Obviously I’ve said something this week that has come out a little bit wrong. I think I could have worded it a bit better than I said, but you live and learn.”

Pro Ref — the rebranded PGMOL, which oversees professional match officials in England — had not made any public comment on Dean’s remarks at the time of his television appearance. It is understood his claims were met with bemusement by those currently involved in officiating, with some noting a lack of factual detail in his stories.

Dean began his refereeing career in 1985, was promoted to the full referees’ list in 1997, and joined the Select Group of Premier League referees in 2000, a position he held until his retirement in 2022.