Referee Mike Dean 'sent death threats', asks to sit out next Premier League games

Soccer Football - Premier League - Fulham v West Ham United - Craven Cottage, London, Britain - February 6, 2021 West Ham United's Tomas Soucek reacts after he is sent off by referee Mike Dean [Pool via REUTERS/Clive Rose]

Premier League Referee Mike Dean has reportedly asked to sit out the next round of matches following threats to his life.

According to The Times, 52-year-old Dean’s family received threats following the 0-0 draw between Fulham and West Ham played at Craven Cottage on Saturday.

Consequentky, the referee has requested not be involved in a Premier League match next weekend.

Dean was on the back of heavy criticism for showing a red card to West Ham’s Czech midfielder Tomas Soucek after the latter made contact with Fulham's Aleksandar Mitrovic using his elbow, which was flagged by VAR Lee Mason.

Dean immediately consulted the pitch-side monitor before brandishing a red card to Soucek.

Soccer Football - Premier League - Fulham v West Ham United - Craven Cottage, London, Britain - February 6, 2021 West Ham United's Tomas Soucek is shown a red card by referee Mike Dean [Pool via REUTERS/Clive Rose]

Even though the occurrence appeared accidental, West Ham manager David Moyes did not like Dean’s decision one bit.

"I'm embarrassed for whoever has done VAR and I'm a bit embarrassed for Mike Dean - the level of referee he is, to make that decision. It has come down to a poor refereeing decision and a poor VAR Stockley Park decision and we can't do much about it," said Moyes.

West Ham, however, have confirmed success in appealing against the dismissal, which means Soucek will be available for the Hammer’s coming assignments.

"West Ham United can confirm that Tomáš Sou?ek’s red card in Saturday’s Premier League fixture against Fulham has been overturned on appeal. The midfielder will now be eligible for manager David Moyes’ matchday squad for the FA Cup fifth-round tie against Manchester United on Tuesday evening. On Saturday, Sou?ek was sent-off in added time at the end of the second half after coming into contact with Fulham forward Aleksandar Mitrovi?.,” West Ham said in a statement.

"Referee Mike Dean was asked to look at the incident on the pitchside monitor by VAR official Lee Mason and decreed that the No28’s actions constituted violent conduct. On Sunday, West Ham United confirmed that they had submitted notice to The Football Association to appeal the red card. The appeal against Sou?ek’s red card was reviewed by an independent regulatory commission this morning at the Football Association and, following this process, the midfielder’s suspension has been rescinded and lifted with immediate effect."