Off the PitchMirror FootballUnverified source· 4 Sept 2026
Mike Dean admits secret referee games, fans demand FA probe
Ex-Premier League referee Mike Dean's confession about playing secret games during matches has sparked outrage.
M. Dean
player
Who
Mike Dean
What
Admitted playing secret games while refereeing
When
Thursday
Where
Jamie Vardy's podcast
What happened. Mike Dean revealed he used to play secret games during top-flight matches, such as seeing how long he could go without blowing the whistle, leading to calls for an FA investigation.
- Dean retired as a referee in 2022 after 22 years.
- He then served as a VAR for 12 months until 2023.
- Pro Ref has refused to comment on the matter.
The FA has not yet responded to the calls for an investigation.
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