Back to the Tottenham Hotspur Newsfeed

Mike Dean declined to use VAR to save a 'mate' and fellow referee from 'grief'

Former Premier League referee Mike Dean failed to correct a mistake in a match to save his friend and fellow official Anthony Taylor from extra "grief".

Dean was the video assistant referee (VAR) for Chelsea's 2-2 draw with Tottenham in August 2022.

Just before a late Harry Kane equaliser Chelsea felt they should have had a penalty after Cristian Romero pulled Marc Cucurella's hair.

Dean acknowledged a "really bad call" not sending Taylor to review it.

"It's one of them where if I had my time again, what would I do? I'd send Anthony [Taylor] to the screen.