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Mike Dean

The Referee Store
I think and I'm kind of hoping he's coming up with some BS excuse to try and "justify" the fact he missed an blatant act of violent conduct.

I do love the fact the usually opinionated Simon Jordan did not really challenge him on this yet if Dean has said this on another podcast, he be slating him on Talksport today but I suspect SJ won't if the subject gets bought up.

Either way, it only adds fuel to the fire that the officials back their mate up etc.
 
It does feel wrong…. I’ve had the same piece sent to me by a few mates asking what it’s all about.
It’s part of the reason that we need more of the conversations between Officials released…… not just the ones Howard Webb chooses to put out.
If it’s a one off then okay, it will probably cause a stir in the media. It could open up all sorts of allegations regarding the ‘matey’ relationship between the VAR staff and on field Officials.
I remember being surprised, when Webb appeared on Sky, and reviewed some decisions, It was very informal when the officials spoke to each other…. Not sure why but I was expecting more clinical conversation without nicknames.
 
The problem is that referees on VAR are mostly making subjective decisions, as are referees, and like all humans we are not rational and we don’t act like robots and always make the right call. So that thought process, (getting into psychology and behavioural economics here) could often be based on social norms, confirmation bias, rules of thumb, as this is why Wolves probably didn’t get a penalty, as it was the last minute at Old Trafford, or Harry Kane didn’t get sent off for his tackle on Robertson, as he is England Captain, or the person on VAR, is less experienced or friends with the ref on the pitch. This is what needs addressing, so the decisions are make more rationally, to avoid all this nonsense.
 
It’s a really good interview that covers all aspects of refereeing, shame he was so honest about the VAR call.
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The problem is that referees on VAR are mostly making subjective decisions, as are referees, and like all humans we are not rational and we don’t act like robots and always make the right call. So that thought process, (getting into psychology and behavioural economics here) could often be based on social norms, confirmation bias, rules of thumb, as this is why Wolves probably didn’t get a penalty, as it was the last minute at Old Trafford, or Harry Kane didn’t get sent off for his tackle on Robertson, as he is England Captain, or the person on VAR, is less experienced or friends with the ref on the pitch. This is what needs addressing, so the decisions are make more rationally, to avoid all this nonsense.
Very good post Tim
Any suggestion of 'bias' on the Forum gets shot down by the Mods, but we're all complicated beings with biases and thought processes we usually don't understand about ourselves in the moment. Some of us (seemingly, like Mike Dean) can be honest with ourselves after the event, whereas many of us are blind to our motivations and prejudice
However, I don't see what MD is achieving by admitting to this publicly. I'm guilty of being too open about myself in the same way and I see it as a narcissistic trait in myself. Not saying we should keep such things completely to ourselves, but better to only discuss with trusted friends and family, otherwise it has a feel of talking about yourself in Public to make oneself the centre of attention

This revelation does not help the VAR process as most people lack self-insight and will only use this as a 'ref bashing stick'
 
Very good post Tim
Any suggestion of 'bias' on the Forum gets shot down by the Mods, but we're all complicated beings with biases and thought processes we usually don't understand about ourselves in the moment. Some of us (seemingly, like Mike Dean) can be honest with ourselves after the event, whereas many of us are blind to our motivations and prejudice
However, I don't see what MD is achieving by admitting to this publicly. I'm guilty of being too open about myself in the same way and I see it as a narcissistic trait in myself. Not saying we should keep such things completely to ourselves, but better to only discuss with trusted friends and family, otherwise it has a feel of talking about yourself in Public to make oneself the centre of attention

This revelation does not help the VAR process as most people lack self-insight and will only use this as a 'ref bashing stick'
Thank you. Yes, the Twitter chorus of 'corruption' is just ridiculous and needs to be ignored, but an admission that decisions could be influenced by 'non-rational' factors should be discussed. Maybe full-time VAR operators who are completely independent of referees may be the way forward.
Yes, in the interview, was pretty guarded and diplomatic when he was talking about other referees and managers, but seemed to let loose about VAR, which he isn't a fan of. His honesty about not enjoying doing it was refreshing, but should have stopped there, as you say.
His comments about the Chelsea incident will just lead to constant shouts of 'corruption' on social media for every controversial decision.
 
It's an interesting interview overall, but it goes to show that the more you say, the greater the chance of saying something that will be used against you. For non-Referees, the Headline will be the only thing they'll take away from it
For me, I'm listening to it from an on-field refereeing perspective to learn from MD's experience
I wasn't interested in the VAR section as I'm not a VAR. I'm only interested in VAR from a fan/spectator perspective
 
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So straight off the bat.... I engage in very few Social Media, but the one other forum on which I've seen this interview discussed and all the comments are unsurprisingly 'unwelcome'. An hour of content, but only one minute of it getting any attention... and it's not positive

I thought the MD interview was interesting (as a Referee), but one misjudged admission is the only soundbite anyone will remember
I don't know if it's possible to change the culture enough to make it anything less than very dangerous for Referees to speak openly in public
 
Naturally as a Chelsea fan, I was p'd off about the decisions that went against Chelsea in this game. Always been a big fan of Mike Dean and steer clear of ref/Mike Dean bashing stories especially on social media as trying to reason with people can be like p'n in the wind. I don't get how deciding against recommending a review is protecting your on field mate, if anything with the extra scrutiny VAR brings to the game, by ignoring the incident you're making yourself look incompetent and not fit for the job. :confused:
 
Naturally as a Chelsea fan, I was p'd off about the decisions that went against Chelsea in this game. Always been a big fan of Mike Dean and steer clear of ref/Mike Dean bashing stories especially on social media as trying to reason with people can be like p'n in the wind. I don't get how deciding against recommending a review is protecting your on field mate, if anything with the extra scrutiny VAR brings to the game, by ignoring the incident you're making yourself look incompetent and not fit for the job. :confused:
Yes, very weird logic, as he said in the interview that Anthony Taylor didn’t sound impressed, and said that he should have sent him to the screen.
He said both managers had been booked and didn’t want to cause any more grief, but don’t think Conte could have argued if Taylor had given a penalty and produced a red card, and even if he did then I am sure could have confidently dealt with that situation.
 
Naturally as a Chelsea fan, I was p'd off about the decisions that went against Chelsea in this game. Always been a big fan of Mike Dean and steer clear of ref/Mike Dean bashing stories especially on social media as trying to reason with people can be like p'n in the wind. I don't get how deciding against recommending a review is protecting your on field mate, if anything with the extra scrutiny VAR brings to the game, by ignoring the incident you're making yourself look incompetent and not fit for the job. :confused:
He candidly admits that he wasn't the best VAR. His self-awareness meant that he left a role he wasn't suited for and didn't enjoy
Fair play to him

I didn't like him as a Ref cos I'm still a fan and he gave Newcastle nowt... That said, I'm aware he was a brilliant referee in his prime
 
I feel MD’s comments are totally unacceptable, throws his PGMOL colleagues are the bus, and makes all referees jobs harder when our credibility, impartiality fairness is always being questioned when we make a genuine mistake or even make an honest 50/50 decision which goes for one team & against another.

On a separate point I believe retired referees should not be VAR specialists, many have spent their entire lives running around on grass and have zero experience of working with technology and sat in front of a tv or computer screen. Just compare a young person using tech/IT to any person of a certain age (generalisation accepted).
 
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Don't think this is going to help much
 
On a separate point I believe retired referees should not be VAR specialists, many have spent their entire lives running around on grass and have zero experience of working with technology and sat in front of a tv or computer screen. Just compare a young person using tech/IT to any person of a certain age (generalisation accepted).
I think this is ridiculous and ageist. Referees have also spent their career making judgment, applying the LOTG, and understanding the guidance being given on how to apply them. Not every R is going to make a great VAR, but the technology is hardly a problem, as they have technicians to deal with the tech. And you don’t think top level refs don’t spend a bunch of time watching videos to learn?
 
I’ve not heard the whole podcast, only that sound bite but MD has done nothing but make the credibility of VAR and his colleagues worse in the eyes of the spectator
 
Just make the audio from all incidents available and we'll never have this issue
I think the PL needs to push for more open communication. Fans are always going to think refs are terrible and getting worse. But at least releasing the audio of all checks will show they aren't bent.
 
I just hope this makes the FA broadcast everything as it happens.

Too many clear and obvious errors have happened over recent years which make us all question how... Unfortunately, this probably is the answer.

The FA/Premier League will now be under pressure for the next decision that was clearly wrong and not picked up by VAR.

Mike Dean has thrown his colleagues under the bus, but hopefully it will lead to positive, more transparent changes to the game.
 
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