Ref chiefs scramble to downplay Mike Dean’s explosive claims he played controversial games during Premier League matches

REFEREE chiefs have cast serious doubt over Mike Dean’s explosive claims that he used to play controversial “games” while officiating Premier League matches. The former Prem ref said he tried to go as long as he could without blowing his whistle in the pre-VAR era. Pro Ref (formerly PGMOL) are deeply sceptical of Mike Dean’s claims about playing ‘games’ while refereeing Premier League matches Credit: Getty Mike Dean told Jamie Vardy’s podcast he would take part in challenges while officiating in the pre-VAR era Credit: http://www.youtube.com/@thevardyparty Speaking on Jamie Vardy’s podcast, Dean also suggested that in some games he tried not to leave the centre circle for as long as possible. SunSport understands the Pro Ref (formerly PGMOL) are deeply sceptical of the 58-year-old’s shock claims. Sign up for the Football newsletter Thank you! That is owing to the fact that Dean did not give any detail on when they allegedly took place or evidence to back up that they happened at all. Dean said his “games” took place before VAR, which was brought in in 2019, and therefore during previous leadership of the refereeing body. Ex-official Dean hung up his whistle at the end of the 2021-22 campaign, before retiring for good the following year after a year as a VAR official. The charismatic whistler has since embarked on a media career and is a regular on Soccer Saturday. Chatting to Vardy, Dean claimed: “There used to be games we’d have, as a laugh. “We used to say ‘we’ll kick off now, right, see how long we can go without blowing a whistle’. Most read in Sport Arsenal ticket and hospitality deals GET tickets to see Arsenal home games with these official deals. The packages include optional upgrades to VIP hospitality. 6 Sep v Chelsea — BOOK HERE 10 Oct v Leeds United — BOOK HERE 24 Oct v Everton — BOOK HERE 7 Nov v Hull City — BOOK HERE More games available here. *If you click on a link in this article, we will earn affiliate revenue. “I done that a few times in the Premier League, before VAR obviously. Went 20, 25 minutes without blowing a whistle. “Few times… let it go, let it go, let it go.” On his centre circle antics, Dean added: “I used to do another thing, in the Premier League, I used to stand in the centre circle, see how long I could stay in the centre circle, before I had to leave. “That was just me, joking about. The lads that used to be on the line would say ‘you can’t’. “I got about 15 minutes once, in one game.” Comment now