Ex-Referee Mike Dean admits to massive Chelsea VAR error to save 'his mate' Anthony Taylor

The introduction of VAR in the Premier League has seen a lot of controversies. Former Premier League referee Mike Dean admitted to being wrong during a top-flight clash between Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur last season. Anthony Taylor was the on-field referee in that match.

3 things you need to know

• VAR was introduced in the Premier League last season
• A lot of the incidents have been overturned by VAR since its inception
• It has also been the subject of massive controversies 

Mike Dean admitted a massive mistake in VAR decision last season

In a match which saw a lot of action, the Blues played out a 2-2 draw with their London rivals. Chelsea looked to be on course towards a famous victory, but a late Harry Kane equaliser in the extra time denied them three points. The home side had appealed for a penalty as Cristian Romero illegally restricted Marc Cucurella inside the box, but the match official turned a blind eye to their calls.

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Dean revealed he failed to judge the situation and should have instructed Taylor to have a look at the screen on the sidelines. In an interaction with Simon Jordan's Up Front Podcast, he said, "I missed the stupid hair pull at Chelsea versus Tottenham which was pathetic from my point of view."

"It's one of them where if I had my time again, what would I do? I'd send Anthony [Taylor] to the screen. I think I knew if I did send him to the screen… he's cautioned both managers, he's had a hell of a game, it's been such a tough game end to end.

"I said to Anthony afterwards: 'I just didn't want to send you to the screen after what has gone on in the game'.

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"I didn't want to send him up because he is a mate as well as a referee and I think I didn't want to send him up because I didn't want any more grief than he already had."

Dean was subsequently not involved in VAR duty for the next two months as the PGMOL took firm note of the incident.