According to The Guardian Football, Dean claimed that he and other referees would often engage in secret challenges during matches, such as trying to go without blowing a whistle for as long as possible. He said that he had gone 20-25 minutes without blowing a whistle on several occasions. Dean also claimed that he had once stayed in the centre circle for 15 minutes without being noticed, saying that it was "just me joking about".
The refereeing organisation, Pro Ref, is understood to be puzzled by Dean's claims, with some officials suggesting that it is highly improbable that a referee could stay in the centre circle for 15 minutes without someone noticing. Dean's remarks have sparked debate about the nature of refereeing and the challenges that officials face during matches.
Dean's comments come after he was stood down from his role as a VAR in 2023 following a controversy surrounding his failure to intervene in a match between Tottenham and Chelsea. Despite his notoriety for his flamboyant mannerisms and apparent eye for the camera, Dean was also held to be one of the best officials in the top flight, taking charge of 561 matches and issuing a record 114 red cards over the course of his 22-year career.
The controversy surrounding Dean's claims is set to continue, with Pro Ref likely to investigate the matter further.