Mike Dean was left red-faced after making the wrong call over an offside during Saturday’s match between Nottingham Forest and Luton Town. Dean, who spent many years as one of the Premier League’s best-known referees, has adopted a punditry role this season after joining the Soccer Saturday panel on Sky Sports.
The 55-year-old was in the studio on Saturday to offer his thoughts on any controversial refereeing decisions, but got one wrong as Luton halved their two-goal deficit against Forest at the City Ground. The hosts were ahead thanks to a brace from Chris Wood before Chiedozie Ogbene pulled one back for the Hatters with just eight minutes remaining.
Dean was quick to insist that the goal would be ruled out for offside, although fellow pundit Michael Dawson did not agree and said that it would stand. Once it became clear that Dawson was indeed correct, he told Dean: “Onside, it’s 2-1. My eyes were right. Get to Specsavers, Mike.”
It prompted an awkward reaction from Dean, who got a laugh from the rest of the panel but looked a bit shellshocked after wrongly declaring that Ogbene’s goal should have been chalked off.
Dean joined the Soccer Saturday panel earlier this year after spending the previous campaign working as a dedicated VAR official in the Premier League. His role sees him offering in-depth analysis and insight on the biggest decisions made up and down the country every Saturday.
Speaking after being added to the show, he explained: “It feels a bit surreal to be a part of such a well-loved show, but I can’t wait to join the team. With all the technology available in today’s game, I think it’s crucial that fans understand why decisions have been made, even if they don’t agree with them.”
Luton, meanwhile, went on to snatch a point at the City Ground courtesy of a stoppage-time equaliser from Elijah Adebayo. The result pulled the Hatters out of the Premier League’s relegation zone by a single point, having won once and drawn twice in their opening nine matches.
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