Newcastle United news: Ex-Fifa official swipes at ‘insensitive’ PGMOL after Mike Dean confirmation
The appointment of Mike Dean to Brentford’s game with Newcastle United on Saturday (2 February) is “insensitive”, according to Keith Hackett.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the ex-Fifa and Premier League referee insisted Newcastle should not worry about Dean but he should not be in charge of the game after recent controversy with Newcastle.
The 53-year-old was the man in the middle when Eddie Howe’s side lost 3-1 to Liverpool last year (16 December 2021).
As relayed by the Chronicle, Howe was furious the game was not stopped due to a head injury in the lead up to Liverpool’s equaliser.
“The appointment, at this stage of the season, is insensitive,” Hackett told Football Insider correspondent Connor Whitley.
“They should just take a bit more care. Look, Dean is Dean and you should not have any problems with him. They shouldn’t be afraid of Dean as a referee.
“This is the third time he’s had Newcastle this season. A club can’t complain about who is appointed to their game and that is down to the PGMOL.
“When that was my role, appointing referees, you think about these things. Why put a referee that has been controversial back int the same environment when there are other teams they could referee?
“I don’t think they should be too worried about it. Dean is Dean.”
Wirral-based Dean was also in charge when Newcastle drew 1-1 with Leeds United earlier this season.
He dished out four yellow cards in the previous two Magpies games he has overseen this term.
In other news, Newcastle United are on the brink of their ‘most important signing’ after a reliable journalist’s update.