Mike Dean demoted to Championship following criticism of referee's recent performances

Dean's Merseyside derby performance was also criticised (Photo: Action Images via Reuters)

Referee Mike Dean has been demoted to the Championship following a torrent of criticism over his recent performances.

The 48-year-old will be in the middle for the Yorkshire derby between Barnsley and Leeds at Oakwell on Saturday evening.

Dean endured a testing Christmas period, including his controversial sending off of West Ham player Sofiane Feghouli against Manchester United, which was later rescinded.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic also scored a clearly offside goal during that clash.

Dean was also criticised for failing to send off Ross Barkley for a late tackle on Jordan Henderson during the Mereseyside derby on December 19.

Since Manchester United's 2-0 win over the Hammers, Dean has been in charge of of Tottenham's 2-0 win over Aston Villa in the FA Cup and Stoke's 3-1 triumph over Sunderland on Sunday.

Both games passed without any controversy but that has not been enough for Dean to be demoted.