Dean has showed Webb exactly what he needs to eradicate after VAR revelations

25 August 2023 , 10:26

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Mike Dean hasn't helped anybody with his controversial VAR revelations

Mike Dean had a reputation when he was a referee of doing outrageous things to make himself centre of attention.

And even after stepping down, he has carried that on by making a statement which will have PGMOL boss Howard Webb covering their eyes in horror. Dean acknowledged a “really bad call” when he was VAR not to ask Anthony Taylor to review his decision after Cristian Romero pulled Marc Cucurella's hair in the build-up to Harry Kane’s late equaliser when Tottenham drew 2-2 at Chelsea last season.

Former Premier League referee Dean said in a podcast: "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.” And with that, Dean confirms the perception of every fan about VAR. They all look after their mates.

Nice, one Mike. You’ve done it again. I can’t believe he’s actually thought about what he’s said before he put his foot firmly in his mouth. Dean, who famously celebrated a goal in a game he was refereeing, was stood down as a VAR two months after that Stamford Bridge incident. He subsequently brought an end to his 28 year career as a professional referee.

And about time, too.

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That is the attitude - looking after your mates, not wanting to upset anyone, not treading on toes to get the right decision, not overruling a superior - that Webb has to eradicate to improve VAR. Sadly for Webb and the referees’ body the PGMOL, their task has probably got a lot harder after Dean’s comments. Because ultimately it is all about perception.

This will have Wolves boss Gary O’Neil fuming. Because his Wolves team were denied a clear penalty at Manchester United when the VAR did not instruct the referee to have another look. Why didn’t the VAR act more strongly after Liverpool’s Alexis Mac Allister was sent off against Bournemouth last week? They had to wait to appeal - and then the red card was rightly overturned.

PGMOL chief Howard Webb has done plenty of work to build links with clubs since his appointment (Getty Images)

I’m afraid to say it’s seen as jobs for the boys and looking after your mates by a whole raft of fans. And now try to convince Liverpool or Wolves fans otherwise after Dean’s comments. Good luck with that.

The real shame about this is that, in my opinion, Webb is making a positive effect. He’s not even been in the job a year but is introducing better rules on player conduct, manager conduct and, just as importantly, when referees and VARs make mistakes they are stood down.

High-profile refs like Dean have moved on as he admitted he began “dreading” being a VAR. I suppose sitting behind a screen didn’t allow him to celebrate decisions in front of the cameras like he used to as a referee.

I’ve been pretty clear on this. The standard of refs is not great. But there are some terrific refs. Anthony Taylor who was at the centre of that incident at Stamford Bridge, is a good example.

But it will take time for Webb to make improvements. Also, if you want apologies then he’s willing to say when they got it wrong. He rang one chief executive as he headed to his car last season blissfully unaware that the ref and VAR had messed up.

Webb apologised and that gesture was respected. He holds respect among clubs and will make a difference. But it will take time. I’m banking on the 2024/25 season to see really big improvements.

Sadly, for the refs’ point of view, Dean has just made things a lot more difficult.

John Cross