Mike Dean reveals the VAR decision he ‘got wrong’ TWO years after the incident – as former Premier League referee admits to blunder in huge derby clash

Former Premier League referee Mike Dean has revealed the incident which he believes he ‘got wrong’ while on VAR duty. 

Dean, 56, called an end to his time officiating in the English top-flight at the end of the 2021-22 campaign but remained on VAR duty at the start of the following season. 

During his time in the VAR booth, Dean oversaw a controversial moment in Tottenham’s visit to Chelsea, which finished 2-2.

During the London derby, Spurs defender Cristian Romero was seen pulling the hair of Chelsea’s Marc Cucurella at a corner and managed to escape any form of punishment. 

Referee Anthony Taylor instead allowed play to continue as Tottenham seized the initiative and took another corner with which Harry Kane scored from to secure a point for his side.

Meanwhile, last weekend, Southampton’s Jack Stephens was sent off for a nearly-identical incident involving Cucurella and, when analysing the dismissal, Dean admitted that he should have sent Romero off two years ago.

Former Premier League referee Mike Dean has revealed the incident which he ‘got wrong’

In 2022, Dean – who was on VAR duty – didn’t intervene after Tottenham star Cristian Romero dragged down Chelsea’s Marc Cucurella by his hair during their clash at Stamford Bridge

Meanwhile, Jack Stephens tugged at Marc Cucurella’s hair and was sent off on Wednesday

Speaking on Sky Sports, Dean said: ‘Unfortunately, I was involved in one of these incidents about three years ago,’ Dean said. ‘I think someone pulled, I think Romero pulled Cucurella’s hair. I didn’t do it [send him off].

‘But he’s clearly done it, he’s got to be sent off. It’s his second red card of the season. It has to be a sending off, it can’t not be.

When pushed further by co-analyst Paul Merson, Dean said: ‘[Romero wasn’t sent off] because I got it wrong. And he’s [Stephens] been sent off.’

Southampton, who were already 3-1 down at the time after two mistakes from their goalkeeper Joe Lumley, were in a dangerous position having won a corner.

And when referee Tony Harrington wasn’t looking, Stephens decided to pull Cucurella’s hair. The Spaniard subsequently fell to the ground, with VAR advising Harrington to go to the screen.

After taking a quick look at a replay of the incident, Harrington had no hesitation in giving Stephens his marching orders in another major blow to Russell Martin’s struggling side.

The Premier League’s match centre added further clarity to the decision as they posted on X: ’38’ VAR OVERTURN.

Dean admitted Romero (left) should have been dismissed for his actions against the full-back

Unlike in Southampton’s clash with Chelsea, Dean didn’t advise the referee to check the monitor 

‘The VAR recommended an on-field review for possible violent conduct for Jack Stephens. The referee then issued a red card.’

The red card was Stephens’ second dismissal of the season, with the defender having also been sent off against Manchester United in September.

The laws of the game do not mention hair pulling by name, and it is down to the referee’s judgement as to whether tugging an opponent by their hair constitutes violent conduct, which is a bookable offence. 

During a game between Manchester United and Leicester in 2016, Robert Huth and Marouane Fellaini were both been charged with violent conduct by the Football Association, following an incident in which Fellaini struck out at the German defender with his elbow after Huth grabbed his hair.