adminREFEREE Mike Dean will remain on Premier League duty this weekend despite failing to send off Diego Costa in Chelsea’s win over Arsenal on Saturday. Dean and his team of officials failed to spot Costa putting his arm into the face of Laurent Koscielny, while Gabriel was sent off for his reaction to the Chelsea striker’s provocation.
Costa could have also been dismissed for flicking his leg at Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain in the second half at Stamford Bridge, while Arsenal were reduced to nine men after Santi Cazorla was given a second yellow card for his challenge on Cesc Fabregas.
Costa now faces a charge of violent conduct from the Football Association, while Gabriel has been charged with improper conduct. Both Chelsea and Arsenal have also been charged by for failing to control their players.
Arsenal have contested Gabriel’s red card and are looking to get the defender’s three-game ban reduced.
Dean’s performance was heavily criticised by Arsene Wenger after the match, while an online petition titled “Prevent Mike Dean from refereeing another Arsenal game” had over 82,000 signatures as of yesterday morning.
However, Dean will take charge of West Ham’s match against Norwich City at Upton Park on Saturday, and will be joined by assistants Simon Long and Stuart Burt who were also on duty at Stamford Bridge.
Wenger said of Dean’s officiating after the 2-0 defeat to Chelsea: “I tell you something, if I’m a referee and I referee Diego Costa, I don’t send somebody off quickly if he responds to it because you know he has been well provoked.
“We warn them not to get involved and I don’t understand Gabriel because he usually looks a calm boy.
“You have to be above that. That’s part of the game sometimes. To be professional, to me, is to deal with that.
“You can spit in my face and if it’s in a game then I will not respond. I don’t guarantee that outside of the game. What I mean is that the desire to win has to be above all of that.” — Goal
Online Reporter