Mike Dean avoided VAR call to spare official grief in Chelsea-Tottenham clash

Former referee Mike Dean has owned up to not correcting a mistake while on VAR duty last season (Adam Davy/PA)

Mike Dean has admitted he failed to correct a mistake in a Chelsea-Tottenham match last season to prevent his friend Anthony Taylor receiving extra “grief”.

Former Premier League referee Dean was on VAR duty at Stamford Bridge in August 2022 when Chelsea wanted Spurs defender Cristian Romero sent off for pulling Marc Cucurella to the floor by his hair.