Soucek sends message to referee Mike Dean after news of death threats
Premier League
By
Mirror
| Feb 09, 2021
Referee Mike Dean has had threats against his life sent to his family following the 0-0 draw between Fulham and West Ham this weekend.
Dean has also asked to not be involved in a Premier League match next weekend.
The official is expected to take charge of Leicester vs Brighton in the FA Cup in midweek as planned. He has reported the death threats to the police.
PGMOL chief Mike Riley said: “Threats and abuse of this nature are totally unacceptable and we fully support Mike’s decision to report these messages his family received to the police.
“Nobody should be a victim of abhorrent messages like this. Online abuse is unacceptable in any walk of life and more needs to be done to tackle the problem.”
Dean was strongly criticised for showing a red card to Hammers star Tomas Soucek late on in the game at Craven Cottage on Saturday.
The Czech midfielder made contact with Fulham's Aleksandar Mitrovic with his elbow, and after it was flagged by VAR Lee Mason, Dean consulted the pitchside monitor before giving Soucek his marching orders.
The incident appeared to look accidental, however, and West Ham manager David Moyes reacted furiously after the game.
"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," he said.
"It has come down to a poor refereeing decision and a poor VAR Stockley Park decision and we can't do much about it."
West Ham have since confirmed they have been successful in their appeal against the dismissal, meaning Soucek is available for their upcoming fixtures.
They said in a statement: "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?.
"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."
Soucek added: "Whatever decisions are made on the pitch should stay on the pitch.
"I don’t like hearing about it interfering with personal life and I send Mike Dean and his family my support.
"There is no place for abuse of any kind. It is in the past and I’m now focused on the rest of the season."