Mike Dean, one of the most important active referees in the Premier League, has reported to the police that he is receiving death threats after sending off two players in the last week: Jan Bednarek, Southampton defender, and Tomas Soucek, West Ham midfielder. The penalties resulting from both red cards have been overturned in individual appeals. Despite the fact that the referee has experience dealing with the pressure that comes with being part of the most mediatic soccer league in the world, He had taken the decision to take the case to the authorities after serious threats had been made against his family.
“Threats and abuse of this kind are totally unacceptable, so we fully support Mike’s decision to inform the police of the messages his family members have received, “explained Mike Riley, head of the English arbitration group.. “No one should be the victim of such horrible messages. Harassment through social networks cannot be tolerated in any of its forms, it is something against which we must put more measures.”
For the moment, and according to the BBC, the decision of the competition is to keep him in charge of the FA Cup tie between Leicester and Brighton. However, he will not whistle in Premier during the weekend at his own request, although he is officially justified by the overload of games he has directed to date.