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League: EPLSport: SoccerCountry: EnglandCategory: Scores & Results

Former official Mike Dean admits to playing games during Premier League matches

9 sources • 3 min read • Latest: Sep 4, 2026, 4:30 PM

Last updated Sep 4, 2026

Former official Mike Dean admits to playing games during Premier League matches
Summary

Former Premier League referee Mike Dean has disclosed that he engaged in intentional, self-imposed challenges while officiating top-flight matches. Speaking on a podcast, Dean stated he would occasionally refrain from blowing his whistle for extended periods of up to 25 minutes. He also described attempting to remain within the centre circle for as long as 15 minutes during gameplay. These comments follow his retirement in 2022 after a 22-year career in officiating 553 matches. The revelations have triggered significant public criticism, with supporters questioning the integrity and professionalism of his officiating practices. The governing body Pro Ref has been contacted for comment regarding these claims.

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Yahoo SportsBBC SportThe Guardian Sport
By the Numbers
  • •Mike Dean refereed 553 Premier League matches over 22 years before retiring in 2022.
  • •Dean claimed he intentionally delayed blowing his whistle for up to 25 minutes per match.
  • •The former official admitted to remaining in the centre circle for 15 minutes during games.
  • •Pro Ref is currently being asked for comment regarding these admissions.
  • •Public reaction to the remarks has focused on concerns regarding refereeing integrity.
Latest Updates
  • 4:30 PMYahoo Sports — Dean says he always applied laws - but which matches did he play games in?
  • 4:30 PMBBC Sport — Dean says he always applied laws - but which matches did he play games in?
  • 5:01 PMYahoo Sports — Mike Dean’s latest ego attack risks doing untold harm to referees
  • 3:22 PMThe Guardian Sport — Mike Dean claims he played secret games for a laugh while refereeing matches
  • 12:17 PMYahoo Sports — I used to play in-match games as a laugh - Dean
  • 11:45 AMBBC Sport — I used to play in-match games as a laugh - Dean
  • 11:28 AMYahoo Sports — Mike Dean sparks fury after admitting to secret mini-games while refereeing Premier League matches
What they're saying
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Former official says he ‘tried to stay in the centre circle’ Referees’ group thought to be puzzled by remarks The former Premier League referee Mike Dean claims he used to take part in secret challenges while officiating, including trying to stay in the centre circle for as long as possible, as he confessed to “just joking about” during matches. The remarks, made by one of the most well-known officials in the English game, have been met with bemusement by refereeing officials who say there is no evidence of any such behaviour having ever taken place. Dean was a member of the select group of referees for more than two decades before he retired in 2022, and a brief spell as a video assistant referee followed. In an interview on Jamie Vardy’s podcast this week, Dean shared anecdotes from his time as a top-flight official in the pre-VAR era. “We used to say, ‘We’ll kick off now. Right, see how long we can go without blowing a whistle,’” he said. “I’ve done that a few times in the Premier League, before VAR obviously – [I] went 20, 25 minutes without blowing a whistle. Continue reading...

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COMMENT: Comment: Dean made a baffling admission about playing secret mini-games while refereeing Premier League matches but his legacy is far from the only thing at risk of being hurt

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Is there any evidence that former Premier League referee Mike Dean used to play mini-games during matches? BBC Sport has taken a look at the evidence.

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