Mike Dean will not be in charge of VAR for the next round of Premier League fixtures, following the controversial events in Chelsea's draw with Tottenham Hotspur over the weekend.
Dean retired from refereeing at the end of last season, more than 20 years after taking charge of his first game in the top flight. He didn't step away from football altogether, though, remaining involved with the Premier League as a dedicated video assistant referee (VAR).
The 54-year-old was in position for Chelsea's contest against Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday, when the game was full of controversial moments. With the list of officials for the upcoming round of games confirmed, Dean will now have a week off.
The list of Premier League officials for the upcoming round of games does still include Anthony Taylor, who was the man in the middle at Stamford Bridge on Sunday. Taylor will take charge of West Ham United against Brighton & Hove Albion on Sunday, with Stuart Attwell in the middle for Chelsea's trip to Leeds United.
Chelsea fans - as well as their manager Thomas Tuchel - were not happy with a number of calls over the weekend. Chief among the complaints was an incident shortly before Harry Kane's late equaliser for Spurs, when Cristian Romero avoided punishment for a hair pull on Marc Cucurella.
Some 140,000 people (at the time of writing) have signed a petition calling for the Premier League to stop Taylor from officiating future matches involving the Blues. Manager Thomas Tuchel, meanwhile, said "Maybe that would be better" in reference to the prospect of the Wythenshawe-born ref never taking charge of his team again, but also hit out at VAR separately.
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"We also have VAR to help make the right decisions," Tuchel said. "Since when can players be pulled at their hair? Since when is that? And if he does not see it, I don't blame him.
"I didn't see it, but we have people at VAR who check this and then you see it and then how can this not be a free-kick and how can it not be a red card? How?"
Tuchel also made comments about Taylor and Chelsea more specifically, and the Premier League is expected to launch an investigation. According to The Mail, this will take place after Taylor's own match report has been reviewed.
In addition to the potential repercussions for his comments, Tuchel has been hit with an FA charge for his actions on the touchline on Sunday, along with Antonio Conte. The former Paris Saint-Germain boss clashed with Spurs boss Conte after the game, with both shown red cards.
"Thomas Tuchel and Antonio Conte have both been charged with a breach of FA Rule E3, following the Premier League fixture between Chelsea FC and Tottenham Hotspur FC on Sunday 14 August 2022," a statement from the Football Association read. "It is alleged that the behaviour of both managers was improper following the end of the fixture. Thomas Tuchel and Antonio Conte have until Thursday 18 August 2022 to provide their respective responses.”
