Fans Vote Mike Dean Worst Referee in English Premier League

Fans of the English Premier League have voted bumbling match official Mike Dean the worst referee in the fifth annual worst referee poll on the website RedCardTheRef.

The only question we have to EPL followers worldwide is: What took you so long? The common refrain in most matches Dean takes charge of normally goes something “oh my god, Mike Dean has left his cards at home again” after letting horrendous challenges and offenses go unpunished. After years of criticism over his poor performances, fans didn’t forget their cards this season and voted Dean the absolute worst.

Dean edged his closes rival, Mark Clattenburg by 100 votes, amassing 205 votes or 31 per cent of the 719 votes cast (692 voters) compared to Clattenburg’s final tally of 105. Voting was extended for an additional month following the conclusion of this year’s season, but it didn’t help third-place Michael Oliver (62 votes) or fourth-place Jonathan Moss (49 votes) close the gap.

Dean’s undoing came after his nightmare performance in January’s Manchester United versus West Ham Clash, leapfrogging ahead of Clattenburg prior to England’s top referee departing for his new job refereeing matches in China’s emerging top flight Super League. Dean issued a surprise red card to West Ham midfielder Sofiane Feghouli for a challenge on Red Devils’ Phil Jones.

Howard Webb claimed our first two polls in 2013 and 2014 prior to his retirement while referee Kevin Friend was voted worst referee the past two seasons. Congratulations Mikey you fully deserve this one, but take heart Sunday morning league is always looking for a few good men to act as linesmen and convenors! Full results of each year’s voting are available on our referee Wall of Shame page.

Thanks to all those who voted in this year’s poll and stay tuned as we build towards the 2017/2018 season for our next poll. The final results of this year’s poll are listed below.