Tom Hindle on Interview with Mike Dean: From VAR to Threats

Mike Dean discusses the challenges of officiating, VAR, and the future of offside technology in an interview with GOAL.

Tom HindleDec 11, 2024 16:08+00:00 Tom HindleDec 11, 2024 16:08+00:00 Tom Hindle Tom Hindle Tom Hindle Dec 11, 2024 16:08+00:00 Dec 11, 2024 16:08+00:00

"I don't go out much now" - Wednesday Convo with former Premier League referee Mike Dean on VAR, abuse towards officials, how to deal with star players in the 'Premier League' and 'FA Cup'.

"I don't go out much now" - Wednesday Convo with former Premier League referee Mike Dean on VAR, abuse towards officials, how to deal with star players in the 'Premier League' and 'FA Cup'.

GOAL USA talks to this veteran official about technology, making the right decisions, and where refereeing will go next.

Mike Dean has experienced the unpleasant side of refereeing, taking flak on the streets of England, witnessing threats towards his daughter on social media, and watching his colleagues harassed in airports. To this day, he doesn't go out with his family much, at least not in the UK. But in his 30 years on the job, he has no regrets.

"I enjoyed refereeing, believe it or not, even though people think, 'How can you enjoy being a referee? It's going to be the worst job!' But it's not. It's just a good job. And I just loved it," Dean tells GOAL.

However, he doesn't miss it - not anymore. Dean retired in 2022, stepping away from the game just as digital technologies like the dreaded VAR were becoming integral. He admits he didn't like it, and he likes it even less now.

"I'd refereed in the Premier League for around 15 years, and I've got someone in my ear telling me I've made a mistake, which I found hard. I didn't like it, and everyone knew. I couldn't get my head around it. I think the players didn't like it at first. Some still don't," Dean said.

These days, when he watches games from home or does punditry for Sky Sports, Dean sees officials not enjoying the game, hesitant colleagues before making big decisions, hoping technology will 'bail them out.'

But VAR is here to stay - Dean knows that. More technologies will come in. Automated offsides are on their way to the 'Premier League' after successful trials in the 'Champions League.' Beyond that, FIFA and UEFA will always tweak something, Dean stated.

More than anything, though, Dean is just thankful that he can now speak freely, criticizing what he couldn't previously. The former 'Premier League' referee, who spent over twenty years officiating at the highest level, spoke to GOAL USA for the Wednesday Convo - a weekly Q&A with key figures in soccer - about challenges being the man in the middle, the role of technology in the game, and whether assistant referees will still be needed in the future.

Note: Some responses have been edited for brevity and clarity.