Dean says he always applied laws - but which matches did he play games in?
Is there any evidence that former Premier League referee Mike Dean used to play mini-games during matches? BBC Sport has taken a look at the evidence.
The controversy surrounding former Premier League referee Mike Dean has raised questions about the integrity of refereeing in the top flight of English football. Dean has denied allegations that he played mini-games during matches, but the issue has sparked a wider debate about the pressures and temptations that referees face in high-stakes situations.
The use of technology, including VAR, has increased scrutiny of referees' decisions, and some have questioned whether the stress of the job could lead to officials seeking ways to cope, even if it means bending the rules. While Dean's reputation has been called into question, it's also worth noting that he had a long and distinguished career as a referee, and his comments suggest that he took his responsibilities seriously.
As the football world continues to discuss the implications of these allegations, fans and observers will be watching to see how the refereeing community responds. Will the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) take any action, or will they wait for further evidence to come to light? Additionally, how will the introduction of new technologies, such as automated offside detection, impact the role of referees and the scrutiny they face? These are just a few of the questions that will be worth keeping an eye on in the coming weeks and months.
Originally reported by bbc.co.uk. MyNews adds analysis for general news readers.