Mike Dean breaks silence on controversial podcast comments and admits they ‘come out a little bit wrong’

Former Premier League referee Mike Dean has broken his silence after admitting he played secret "mini-games" during top-flight matches.

Dean, who took charge of 553 Premier League matches before retiring in 2022, has made headlines this week after making some controversial remarks on the Jamie Vardy’s Having A Party podcast.

The 58-year-old claimed he would set himself challenges during games, which included seeing how long he could go without blowing his whistle and how long he could stay in the centre circle.

READ MORE: Mike Dean names the toughest Premier League player he refereed during his career

What did Mike Dean say exactly?

Speaking on Jamie Vardy's podcast, Dean began: “There used to be games that we used to have, as a laugh, we used to say, ‘Right, we’ll kick off now, right? See how long we can go without blowing a whistle.’

“Done that a few times in the Premier League, before VAR obviously. Went 20–25 minutes without blowing a whistle a few times. Let it go, let it go, let it go.

“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 used to be on the line saying ‘you can’t’. I said ‘I’ll try it’. I just used to run around but don’t come out of it. Got about 15 minutes once in one game, without leaving the centre circle.”

Pro Ref, the body responsible for professional refereeing, has since reported that there is no evidence to suggest such practices did happen following a review.

Mike Dean addresses comments on Sky Sports’ Soccer Saturday

On Saturday afternoon, Soccer Saturday presenter Simon Thomas asked Dean if he ever deliberately failed to apply the laws of the game.

Dean replied: “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. I have no regrets over the way I refereed the game of football. I enjoyed what I did and I think the players enjoyed what I did as well.

“It is one of them comments, if you had your time again, you wouldn’t say it, but it’s been said now and been out there. There is nothing I can do now.

Dean continued: “It is one of them where as a ref, I like to go out and my threshold was always high as a ref and not to give free-kicks.

“I would give a minimum amount of free-kicks as I can and if I can keep the game flowing, I would keep it flowing. Yes, if I’ve got to step in, I’ll give the free-kick but it is just one of them things – you learn by your mistakes.

“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. Hopefully we can move on. We’ll see what happens.”

Dean addressed the podcast comments on Soccer Saturday. Image credit: Sky Sports

READ MORE: Gabby Agbonlahor claimed Mike Dean “would crumble” at the influence of Man Utd and Chelsea players

As well as the above, Dean addressed his podcast remarks in a statement on Instagram.

He wrote: "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 wherever possible I prefer to apply a high threshold for contact, which the players liked.

"However, if I saw a 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."

Dean added: "I have always respected the profession and the responsibility that comes with being a referee."