Former Premier League referee Mike Dean has confessed to a major error during Chelsea’s 2-2 draw with Tottenham at Stamford Bridge in August 2022.
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Dean, who officiated in England’s top flight for over two decades and more than 550 matches, was serving as the VAR official in this controversial encounter.
The drama unfolded late in the match when Tottenham defender Cristian Romero pulled the hair of Chelsea’s Marc Cucurella in the penalty area. Despite the blatant foul, Romero escaped punishment. Chelsea fans were incensed, especially as Spurs scored a dramatic 96th-minute equalizer through Harry Kane shortly after the incident.
Reflecting on the decision, Dean admitted his mistake: “Romero pulled Cucurella’s hair, and I didn’t act. He should have been sent off; it was his second red card offense of the season. I got it wrong.”
The fiery clash wasn’t limited to on-field drama. After the final whistle, tensions boiled over between then-Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel and Tottenham boss Antonio Conte. During their handshake, Tuchel held onto Conte and appeared to demand eye contact, saying, “Look at me when shaking hands.” The situation escalated into a touchline scuffle as players and staff intervened to separate the managers.
Post-match, Tuchel, now England’s manager, downplayed the confrontation. “It was between two competitors—nothing bad happened,” he said. “Football is emotional, and so are the coaches. Let’s not overheat it.”
Dean’s admission adds another layer of controversy to the match, which remains a flashpoint in Premier League officiating discussions.
