‘I got it wrong’ – Mike Dean finally admits to massive Premier League blunder two years later

Jack Stephens’ red card for Southampton in their clash against Chelsea has sparked a discussion among football circles, with former Premier League referee Mike Dean revisiting a controversial decision from his own career.

Dean, who retired from refereeing at the end of the 2021-22 season, admitted he made an error in 2022 when he failed to recommend a red card for Tottenham’s Cristian Romero during a match against Chelsea.

The incident involved Romero pulling the hair of Chelsea’s Marc Cucurella, a move that was overlooked both by on-field referee Anthony Taylor and VAR official Mike Dean at the time.

Fast forward to Wednesday’s match, and a nearly identical situation unfolded. Jack Stephens pulled Cucurella’s hair during Southampton’s battle with Chelsea.

While this infraction was initially missed in real-time, referee Tony Harrington consulted VAR and subsequently sent Stephens off, sparking comparisons to the Romero incident.

Dean, now retired and working as a pundit, reflected on his mistake during a live broadcast of the match on Sky Sports’ Soccer Special. The 56-year-old acknowledged that Romero’s actions in 2022 warranted a dismissal and that his failure to intervene was a clear error.

Dean candidly admitted, “Unfortunately, I was involved in one of these incidents about three years ago. Romero pulled Cucurella’s hair, and I didn’t act on it. But when you look at it, it’s clear—he should’ve been sent off. It was his second red card offense of the season.

It can’t not be a sending-off.” His remarks came in response to panelist Paul Merson, who pressed him to explain the discrepancy between the Romero and Stephens decisions. Dean’s straightforward admission that he “got it wrong” underscored the growing scrutiny VAR officials face over inconsistent decisions.

The red card handed to Jack Stephens marked his second dismissal of the season, having also been sent off in September for a foul on Manchester United’s Alejandro Garnacho. In the Chelsea match, Southampton were already trailing 3-1 when Stephens’ clash with Cucurella occurred, and his departure left the Saints in disarray.

Chelsea capitalized on their numerical advantage, scoring two more goals to secure a commanding victory. The defeat dealt another blow to Southampton, who remain seven points adrift from safety in their fight to avoid relegation.

Southampton manager Russell Martin sought to draw positives from his team’s performance despite the loss. Speaking after the match, Martin highlighted the quality of football his side displayed while at full strength. “Some of the football that we played at 11 v 11 was amazing, and we should have been 1-0 up.

We conceded such poor goals, but the response was brilliant. We were so in the game until a big moment changed it,” he said, referring to Stephens’ red card. While his comments aimed to rally morale, the reality of Southampton’s precarious position in the league table remains stark.

The incident has reignited debates about the consistency of officiating and VAR’s role in modern football. Hair-pulling, while rare, is considered violent conduct under the rules of the game and typically warrants a red card.

Yet, the Romero incident in 2022, which bore striking similarities to Stephens’ action, saw no such punishment. This inconsistency raises questions about how such situations are evaluated and whether clearer guidelines are needed to ensure fairness.

The VAR system, introduced to eliminate egregious errors, has often found itself at the center of controversy. While it has undoubtedly improved the accuracy of decisions in many cases, the subjectivity involved in interpreting certain incidents has left players, managers, and fans frustrated. Dean’s admission serves as a reminder that human error still plays a significant role in football officiating, even with technology in place.

Cucurella, who has now been on the receiving end of two high-profile hair-pulling incidents, finds himself as an unwitting focal point in this debate. His experiences underscore the challenges players face in maintaining focus amid such unsporting conduct. For Stephens, the red card means not only a suspension but also a tarnished reputation, as his actions drew criticism from pundits and fans alike.

The aftermath of the match sees Southampton grappling with a season marred by inconsistency and disciplinary issues. With Stephens sidelined and their defense further weakened, the Saints face an uphill battle in their quest for survival. Meanwhile, Chelsea’s victory adds momentum to their campaign as they continue to build under Mauricio Pochettino’s leadership.

Looking ahead, the hope among football stakeholders is that incidents like these can be addressed with greater consistency and transparency. The goal of VAR is to create a level playing field, but its success depends on the officials’ ability to apply the rules uniformly.

Dean’s admission of his past mistake might not change the outcome of the 2022 match, but it adds to the ongoing dialogue about improving the system and holding officials accountable.

In a season where every decision carries weight, moments like Stephens’ red card serve as pivotal turning points. Southampton must regroup and focus on their remaining fixtures, while Chelsea can take confidence from a well-earned victory. For football fans, the debate around VAR and refereeing standards is unlikely to fade, but it is moments like these that drive the push for a more equitable game.