English Premier League referee Mike Dean has asked not to officiate any game in the EPL this weekend after he received threats to his life and abuse on social media.
The threats and abuses were due to the two controversial red cards he gave in two different games. One of the incidents was when he sent West Ham United play-maker Tomas Soucek a red card for violent conduct.
The player accidentally hit Aleksandar Mitrovic in the face in their last game against Fulham. The next was the red card given to Southampton defender Jan Bednarek in the match against Manchester United.
Mike Dean gave the player red card after tackling Anthony Martial in the Saints‘ 9-0 humiliation by Manchester United. Following the review, both decisions have been overturned as the clubs made an appeal against the red card.
Mike Dean’s family has been targeted with threats on social media and they were also abused. The English F.A have decided to stop the referee from officiating in the forthcoming EPL weekend games.
Dean will however still officiate Wednesday’s F.A Cup game between Leicester City and Brighton. He will be assisted by VAR which Graham Scott will operate. Also, Darren Cann and Timothy Wood be the field assistant referees.
The English F.A is strongly against those who use the internet to bully and insult people. Several African players in the English Premier League have faced racial abused of late. Axel Tuanzenbe, Anthony Martial, Marcus Rashford and Rudiger among other players in the EPL.