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Football

21st Sep 2020

Mike Dean called ‘the most arrogant man in football’ by Gabby Agbonlahor

Premier League referee Mike Dean has been called 'the most arrogant man in football' by ex-Aston Villa striker Gabby Agbonlahor

Alex Roberts

Dean was also called a ‘fool’ and a ‘wasteman’ by the former Aston Villa man

Premier League referee Mike Dean has been called ‘the most arrogant man in football’ by ex-Aston Villa striker Gabby Agbonlahor.

Agbonlahor was discussing Everton’s 5-2 win over West Brom at the weekend with Talksport pundit Adam Catterall. Dean was referee for the match, and sent off West Brom full back Kieran Gibbs and manager Slaven Bilic.

The former Aston Villa forward did not think much of the way Mike Dean spoke to Bilic, and referred back to his playing days when calling Dean ‘the most arrogant man in football’.

Agbonlahor said:

“Mike Dean is the most arrogant fool you will ever see – in not just refereeing, but in life itself.

“You can ask any Premier League player who has played in a game with him. He’s the most arrogant person. You try and talk to him on the pitch, he’ll tell you to get lost. He’ll say ‘don’t talk to me’.”

Bilic was furious with Dean’s decision to send off Kieran Gibbs, and remonstrated with the ref on the pitch as the players made their way off at half-time. Mike Dean promptly showed Bilic the red card.

However, Agbonlahor thought Dean treated Bilic’s complaints with contempt.

He said: “What you sending him off for? He didn’t swear at you, he didn’t say anything bad.

“It’s that arrogance from Mike Dean and he needs looking at. Have some respect for the managers and some respect for the players.”

Kieran Gibbs walks off after being dismissed by Mike Dean, much to Slaven Bilic’s frustration. (Photo by Visionhaus)

Agbonlahor’s comments were echoed by former Spurs player Graham Roberts, who referred to Mike Dean as “pathetic” on Twitter.

West Brom took the lead against Everton in Saturday’s early kick-off, only to eventually lose 5-2 thanks to goals from James Rodriguez, Michael Keane and a hat-trick from Dominic Calvert-Lewin.

Gabby Agbonlahor has been working as a pundit on Talksport since retiring from football in March 2019.