Referee Stats

Don't use them myself, but if you scroll down a little here's a few that might interest you...

https://footystats.org/stats/referee-stats

https://www.soccerbase.com/referees/home.sd

But pretty much need to factor in new increased leniency

Thanks, lads already very informative.

Mike Dean "The Penalty King"
Howard Webb "Never Gave a Thing"

I don't study their stats (though should I'm sure do so and am on my own admission a mug when it comes to football), but I do like to back red cards when the ref is either Michael Oliver or Anthony Taylor. They are also top drawer officials, I love the way when players get in their faces or surround them (despite wearing pointless "respect" armbands), both refs, Oliver in particular, look at them with absolute disdain. Result is that most such players walk away with their tails between their legs. Mike Dean was also great with the disdain look.

Mike Dean never reffed Champions League or international tournaments because he wasn't good enough, just a gawky, theatrical showman

You're entitled to your opinion of course, mesmerised, but some might argue that if he was as you describe, he provided more entertainment than some of the overpaid prima donnas he had to keep in line every match. Personally, I was and am always more inclined to watch a game officiated by any of Messrs Oliver, Taylor (Jack and Anthony), Dean and naturally "THE man", Graham Poll.

The best referees are the ones you don't notice.

Mike Dean was a great referee.  If he thought it was a pen he gave a pen.  Imo the only top PL referee who had the bottle to do that.

May 29, 2023 -- 10:31AM, CLYDEBANK29 wrote:

Mike Dean was a great referee.

Not so great
_____


Mike Dean sparks outrage as ex-Premier League ref admits to secret games during matches
Former Premier League referee Mike Dean has made a startling revelation over the antics he engaged in during professional matches, sparking outrage
Comments
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Sport

Mike Dean has made startling claims(Jamie Vardy's Having a Party podcast)

Ex-Premier League referee Mike Dean has revealed that he used to play secret games during Premier League matches. The former official suggested he would see how long he could go without blowing the whistle or leaving the centre circle during games, sparking outrage from fans who have slammed his antics as 'diabolical' and 'unprofessional'.

Dean left his role as video assistant referee in 2023, 12 months after retiring from refereeing. Dean ended a 22-year referee career as the most recognisable official in the country after taking charge of 553 top-flight matches.

However, his fame came from his unique approach on the field, as well as his longevity. Dean proved a controversial figure on the pitch, earning notoriety from fans and players for his self-admitted 'arrogance'.

The controversy has not stopped following his retirement, and his latest comments have irked swathes of football supporters.

Speaking on Jamie Vardy's Having a Party podcast, he said: "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, 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." (Seems impossible)

The comments have prompted uproar on social media. "Why are they laughing at this?" said one fan. "It’s disgusting from a supposed top referee. Messing around while fans pay hundreds of pounds for matches to be officiated professionally."

"What else was going on that he’s not disclosing? And they call themselves professional," another vented.

Mike Dean sent off more than 100 players during his time in the Premier League
"Watched loads of games where ref has been soft early doors & waved play on when a big chance from a transition is scuppered by tactical fouling. Lost for words… muppets!" fumed another user on X.

"I think it’s such a hard job and they get blamed for everything but this isn’t helping them," said one frustrated supporter. "How can you decide to not blow your whistle?"

"Every fan should be refunded for this," another person commented.

"Stories like this only makes it worse for refs of today," said another. "More scrutiny, more pressure. Astonishing really."

Pro Ref had no comment to make when approached.


Dean's claims come from a period pre-VAR, meaning such games were played before 2019. The 61-year-old was promoted to a Premier League referee in 2000, having started officiating in 1985. Pro Ref, previously known as PGMOL and Professional Game Match Officials Board (PGMOB) would have been under different leadership, with Howard Webb becoming Chief Refereeing Officer in August 2022.

Former Premier League forward Gabriel Agbonlahor has hit out at the former official, calling him a 'prat'. The ex-Aston Villa star was disgusted with Dean's claims that bring the sport into disrepute.

""You're not funny, Mike Dean, and that sums you up. What do you mean? You're playing on when it's a foul. You're throwing yourself under the bus," Agbonlahor said on talkSPORT.

"I don't find that funny at all. Don't blow your whistle during the game. Are you a child? It doesn't sit right with me at all. You managed a lot of games that I played in.

"I didn't get on with Mike Dean at all. It's good that referees give it back to players but he had that arrogance about him. One word to describe him I would say is a prat.

"Referees are up and down so they don't miss anything. You might have missed penalties or free kicks or last man taking out a player because you want to joke and stay in the centre circle.

"Did you have a good giggle afterwards? Was it really funny, Mike? That sums up your personality. Embarrassing.

"I believe him. He didn't look like he was joking. I'm not going to have him come out and say he was joking; he said that with heart. He's got a lot to answer."

While RefSupportUK suggested there was a degree of hypocrisy in how a referee would be treated in this instance compared with a player, they admitted that Dean had now made refereeing more difficult for those throughout the football pyramid.

"Mike Dean has now made it more difficult for refs at every level by these stupid comments and brought into question the integrity of the game. Wonder if he has a book coming out?" they said on X.

It is not the first time that Dean has prompted controversy when speaking about his career. The ex-official has previously admitted not referring a decision to VAR, in an attempt to protect a friend.

Dean was VAR during a fiery draw between Chelsea and Tottenham in August 2022 and claimed he avoided sending Anthony Taylor to the screen to review a missed hair pull on Marc Cucurella as his colleague had endured a tough match.

"I missed the stupid hair pull at Chelsea versus Tottenham which was pathetic from my point of view," Dean told Simon Jordan's Up Front podcast. "It's one of them where if I had my time again, what would I do? I'd send Anthony [Taylor] to the screen.

"I think I knew if I did send him to the screen… he's cautioned both managers, he's had a hell of a game, it's been such a tough game end to end.

"I said to Anthony afterwards: 'I just didn't want to send you to the screen after what has gone on in the game.'

"I didn't want to send him up because he is a mate as well as a referee and I think I didn't want to send him up because I didn't want any more grief than he already had."

It wouldn't surprise me if it was true

But most refs, ex refs seem to think hes
lying, a fantasist looking for podcast cash.

Interesting to see if actual stats back him up.

Why would want set fire to his sky job
Crazy
All about you Mike Dean all about you
Pretty fitting

Groundsman must've been p1ssed when he did that centre circle.

Bloke always had main character syndrome and still does.

https://www.whoscored.com