I used to play in-match games as a laugh - Dean
5 sources·Updated September 3, 2026
Dean gaming habits
Covered by 5 sources
- Sky News UK·15h agoEx-Premier League ref admits he tried not to blow whistle during matches as a 'game'
A former Premier League referee has sparked a backlash after revealing he used to entertain himself by "joking about" and playing "games" while officiating matches.
Read at Sky News UK → - Irish Examiner Sport·18h agoEx-ref Mike Dean admits joking around during games by not blowing his whistle
Dean, who refereed in 553 Premier League fixtures across more than two decades, made the confession during an appearance on the Jamie Vardy’s Having a Party podcast.
Read at Irish Examiner Sport → - Irish Independent Life·19h ago‘We’d see how long we can go without blowing the whistle’ - Ex-Premier League ref Mike Dean hit by backlash over claims of ‘joking about’ during gamesRead at Irish Independent Life →
- BBC Football·22h agoI used to play in-match games as a laugh - Dean
Former Premier League referee Mike Dean says he would stay in the centre circle for as long as he could during a match.
Read at BBC Football →