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Michael Leslie DeanEnglish football referee
Date of Birth: 02.06.1968
Country:  Great Britain |
Content:
- Michael Dean: A Top-Tier English Football Referee
- FIFA Certification and Notable Matches
- Controversial Appointment and Subsequent Match
- Return to FA Cup Final and Landmark Appointment
- Controversial Chelsea Victory and Criticism
Michael Dean: A Top-Tier English Football Referee
Early Career and ProgressionMichael Dean embarked on his refereeing journey in 1985. He officiated matches in the Northern Premier League, progressed to become an assistant referee in the Football League, and from 1997, he began refereeing Football League matches. In 2000, Dean was selected to officiate in the Premier League.
FIFA Certification and Notable Matches
In 2003, Dean earned the distinction of becoming a FIFA referee. He went on to officiate an international friendly between the Netherlands and Ireland at the Amsterdam Arena, where Ireland emerged victorious. Dean also presided over the 2004 FA Community Shield clash between Arsenal and Manchester United, which Arsenal won. Additionally, he refereed the FA Trophy final in the same year.
Controversial Appointment and Subsequent Match
Dean was originally scheduled to referee the 2006 FA Cup Final. However, less than a month before the match, the Football Association controversially replaced him with Alan Wiley due to potential bias towards Liverpool, one of the finalists, as Dean resided on Merseyside.
Despite this setback, Dean officiated the 2006 Championship Play-off Final between Leeds United and Watford at the Millennium Stadium, where Watford claimed victory.
Return to FA Cup Final and Landmark Appointment
Dean regained his spot as referee for the 2008 FA Cup Final between Portsmouth and Cardiff City, with Portsmouth emerging as the winners. On April 5, 2009, Dean was struck with a coin thrown by a spectator during a heated match between two Welsh rivals, Cardiff City and Swansea City. Despite suffering a cut on his forehead, Dean continued the match, even awarding a controversial penalty to Swansea City.
Controversial Chelsea Victory and Criticism
In a pivotal Premier League title race match between Manchester United and Chelsea in 2010, Dean's officiating drew intense scrutiny. Several potential penalty decisions were overlooked, and Chelsea's winning goal was scored by Didier Drogba in an apparent offside position. Dean and his assistant referees faced significant criticism, leading to their suspension from Premier League duties and a transfer to the Championship for a period.
