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      Mike Dean let himself down by turning on another referee for signing autographs, Sunny Singh Gill should be celebrated

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      IF only referees would show a little common sense.Mike Dean probably still wakes with a jolt in the middle of the night with that patronising phrase ringing in his ears.Mike Dean took aim at Sunny Singh Gill live on Sky SportsCredit: GettyGill was seen signing autographs at half-time of Crystal Palace vs LutonCredit: X formerly Twitter / @SkySportsPLPTSD from hearing the same old story while serving as one of our highest-profile officials.So why now in retirement he cannot apply it to the case of Sunny Singh Gill is beyond anyone’s guess.From his pulpit on Sky Sports, whistleblower-turned-expert-pundit Dean wasted no time in tainting Gill’s Premier League debut because he signed a couple of autographs for some kids during half-time at Crystal Palace last Saturday.Describing the  rookie ref’s actions as “bang out of order”, this man who has taken charge of an FA Cup final and high-level European games turned on one of his own.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSAnd, in doing so, Dean provided a tasty soundbite for his employers in the gallery.By the way, if you don’t happen to know who  Dean is, as well  as switching on the telly on a  Saturday afternoon, you can easily look him up appearing as himself in old episodes of Ted Lasso.Gill is the first referee of British South Asian heritage to officiate in the Premier League. So that makes him a bit of a story.In the 70s and 80s, instead of being asked to sign his name in a little boy’s scrapbook, there’s every chance he would have been called ‘P**i b*****d’ as he walked out in readiness for the second half.Most read in FootballCHELTENHAM BETTING OFFERS – BEST FREE BET DEALS FOR THE FESTIVALHis dad Jarnail probably became only too familiar with the lyrics of the song ‘one, two, three the lights are flashing . . . ’ as the first Sikh to become an English football referee.So seeing his son take in the history of the occasion and enjoy engagement with young, white supporters is a moment to hold up to the light.Will Pugh and Rob Maul discuss Arsenal, Man City and Liverpool’s chances in the Premier League title raceA sign that while people in  football from any ethnic minority, or with non-white skin, face worrying levels of racist abuse on social media, there is hope when  people meet face to face.As far as we know,  Gill wasn’t charging £50 a pop for his autograph.Perhaps that is the issue some ‘celebrity’ ex-refs have with it.And it didn’t look like he was aware  that TV cameras scanning the stadium had caught this unprecedented, fleeting exchange between a referee and some young fans.There was more criticism from other ex-referees, too, proclaiming that while on duty Gill is there to officiate — not glad-hand and make it all about him.While that’s insensitive, it is at least a credible argument about referees keeping their distance and retaining the aura of authority.However, it’s probably safe to assume that Gill was not strutting around the tunnel area during the break at Palace’s home clash with Luton, touting his moniker to anyone within earshot.Gill became the first referee of British South Asian heritage to officiate in the Premier LeagueCredit: GettyIt’s a fair bet that the small child asked for his autograph.And if so, what’s Gill actually supposed to do?Just imagine the outcry if umpteen TV cameras had chanced across images of the first Premier League referee of British South Asian descent ignoring the pleading face of a cherubic kid asking to sign in his scrapbook.What’s that going to do for race relations and the diversity dream in this country?READ MORE SUN STORIESIt’s almost as if Gill is damned if he does and damned if he doesn’t.What we need more than anything  is for people to show some common sense. More

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      ‘Incredible, this is like a movie’, say fans as ref’s bodycam footage released ahead of possible Premier League launch

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      FOOTBALL fans watched in awe as Bundesliga released footage from a referee’s bodycam amid talks of the Premier League following suit.Daniel Schlager gave a glimpse of football’s future during last month’s league clash between Eintracht Frankfurt and Wolfsburg.at the Deutsche Bank Park.Footage from a referee’s bodycam has been released to the publicCredit: RedditFans were amazed with the Hollywood-like quality footageThe Premier League could introduce the same initiative in the futureSchlager’s VAR earpiece also featured a camera, which captured his view of key incidents during the game.And the German ref had to make a major call only two minutes into the match after Wolfsburg opened the scoring.Maxence Lacroix broke the deadlock and Schlager initially awarded the goal.However, another camera showed referees in the VAR booth analysing the opener.Read More on FootballThere was initial suspicion of a Wolfsburg team-mate pushing the ball with his hand after Lacroix’s header.However, after a rather long period of deliberation it was later determined that the handball was in fact committed by an Eintracht defender.And so the goal was awarded and that sparked quite an entertaining encounter which ended 2-2.Philipp Max equalised for Eintracht only 12 minutes after Lacroix’s dramatic goal.Most read in FootballKevin Behrens put the visitors back ahead on 36 minutes but Omar Marmoush salvaged a point in the second minute of stoppage time.Fans were left amazed by the footage with some even comparing it something they would see from Hollywood.One football enthusiast commented: “Incredible footage, this is like a movie ffs. Imagine this level of transparency in the Prem (LOL).”Another posted: “Reminds me of that Nike ad… so cool!”CHELTENHAM BETTING OFFERS – BEST FREE BET DEALS FOR THE FESTIVAL A third said: “Sick footage, can’t wait to see it all.”This fan wrote: “This is fantastic for understanding what the referee sees, why and how some decisions are made. This should be the staple because it is really interesting and entertaining.”And that one stated: “Damn, this is nice.”The concept could be utilised by PGMOL in the Premier League in the future after a similar kit was used during a friendly between Chelsea and Brighton in the US last July.One refereeing source said: “It might help fans realise why decisions were taken.” More

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      Bundesliga star thanks quick-thinking referee for saving his life after horror collision saw him swallow his tongue

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      A TOP footballer has thanked referee Patrick Ittrich for potentially saving his life after a horror on-field collision. Mainz star Josuha Guilavogui’s head collided with team-mate Anthony Caci’s knee during Saturday’s match at Bayern Munich. Josuha Guilavogui thanked referee Patrick Ittrich for potentially saving his life after a horror on-field collisionCredit: EPAThe Frenchman was left motionless on the ground and looked to be unconscious before Ittrich arrived and put him in the recovery position. Quick-thinking official Ittrich then adjusted his tongue so he could breathe again.The incident took place on the half hour mark and Guilavogui was subbed off five minutes later for Edimilson Fernandes. And he expressed his gratitude to ref Ittrich on social media after the game. READ MORE IN FOOTBALLHe posted on X: “Thank you very much for the quick intervention and the help provided, Patrick Ittrich, my teammates and the doctors at Mainz!”Ittrich said: “You just have to act quickly, there’s no praise for it.”The game ended in an 8-1 hammering for Mainz with Harry Kane scoring three but – due to Bundesliga rules – it did not count as a hat-trick. For a “true hat-trick” in German football, one must score three goals in the same half all consecutively, with no one else bagging in between.Most read in BundesligaWith Kane scoring Bayern’s first, third and seventh unfortunately it does count, despite him taking home the match ball regardless. He posted after the game: “Perfect afternoon! Gotta keep this momentum up.”Micah Richards accuses Harry Kane of ‘having a dodgy box’ in hilarious interviewThe emphatic result sees the Bavarians move to within seven points of leaders Bayer Leverkusen.And England skipper Kane improved his sensational tally for the season to 36 goals in 34 matches. Harry Kane poses with the match ball despite his hat-trick not officially counting More

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      Jurgen Klopp confronts referee after 98th minute season-defining VAR call saves Man City at Anfield

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      FUMING Jurgen Klopp confronted referee Michael Oliver after Liverpool were denied a late penalty against Manchester City. The game was level at 1-1 and in the eighth minute of extra time when Jeremy Doku collided with Alexis Mac Allister. This is the collision between Jeremy Doku and Alexis Mac AllisterThe City forward got away with itJurgen Klopp confronted referee Michael Oliver after Liverpool were denied a late penaltyReplays revealed the City forward kicking Mac Allister in the chest as they both went for the ball in the box. But ref Oliver waved play on and the VAR team refused to intervene as the game ended all square. Klopp was left raging after the final whistle and confronted Oliver to probe him on the controversial call. Manchester United legend Gary Neville said at the time on commentary: “I think he’s a lucky, lucky boy.” READ MORE IN football Neville also added: “Doku is very lucky. I thought he was in trouble.”The two sides played out a thrilling clash, but neither could find a winner meaning Arsenal now sit top of the table.City centre-back John Stones opened the scoring in the first half but a Mac Allister penalty levelled the game after the break.Klopp was still devastated after the final whistle as he said: “It was 100 per cent penalty. Most read in FootballCHELTENHAM BETTING OFFERS – BEST FREE BET DEALS FOR THE FESTIVAL “They will find an explanation. It was 100 per cent foul in all areas of the pitch and probably a yellow card.”All the people with ipads around me were ‘wow, clear’. Maybe they can hide behind the phrase it is not clear and obvious.Roy Keane tells Micah Richards to calm down on live TV after furious rant about Man City and Pep Guardiola”It is of course a penalty but we didn’t get it and that is fine. The most important thing for me is that we can play football like that. “I saw so many sensational performances today.”Pundits’ viewsSky pundit Roy Keane didn’t agree though. He told Sky Sports: “Klopp makes a good point about Doku getting the ball but his foot is so high.”I don’t think there’s any force behind it. So, I think the officials got it right.”Ex-Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher said: “I think he sees Mac Allister coming in and he’s almost trying to pull his foot away. I think if that’s being given on the pitch, it’s not being overturned.”But once it’s not given, he’s not gone fully through him. Klopp says anywhere else on the pitch and that’s a foul. I agree with that, but there is an unwritten rule in football where a penalty has to be a bit more.”When it’s in the box, it has to be a little bit more. He’s lucky but I can see why he’s not given it.” More

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      Premier League clubs could be fined for time-wasting tactics by BALL BOYS in never-before-seen ruling

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      PREMIER LEAGUE chiefs are planning a crackdown on time-wasting in games by… BALL BOYS.It follows demands from football’s lawmakers Ifab to stop goalkeepers using delaying tactics.The Premier League wants to crack down on timewasting ball boysCredit: Getty Images – Getty‘Spotters’ at matches accused some Prem clubs of ordering ball kids to run down the clock if their team is winning.And it is understood a panel is looking at possible punishments for not returning the ball to the opposition fast enough.Ex-Chelsea star Eden Hazard was famously sent off and banned for three matches after kicking 17-year-old Swansea ball boy Charlie Morgan during the 2013 League Cup semi-final.That prompted warnings to clubs over time-wasting but Prem bosses fear the tactic is creeping back into the game.READ MORE ON FOOTBALLSunSport revealed last week that an eight-second rule is proposed to stop keepers holding the ball for too long.The radical trial could be used in the EFL lower divisions or the Football League Trophy from next season after being backed by the game’s Law-making body.The current six-second rule, rarely punished, will be extended to eight.But then referees can hold up their hands to count down to zero with five seconds left.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSAnd that would give fans inside stadiums the chance to join in the drama.Goalkeepers could even be at risk of giving throw-ins or corners away if they fail to release the ball in time.Huge football rule change set to be introduced with BLUE CARD and players dumped in 10-minute sin binIronically, Hazard’s ball boy victim Morgan has gone on to become a multimillionaire since his moment in the spotlight in South Wales in 2013.And the duo were even reunited recently as they put that chaotic moment behind them.That is because Morgan and school friend Jackson Quinn launched their own vodka company in 2016.Au Vodka has gone on an incredible rise over the past eight years thanks to endorsements from the likes of ex-footballer Ronaldinho, club owner Wayne Lineker, and boxing legend Floyd Mayweather.And Morgan is now worth £40million, enough to see him named on the Sunday Times Rich List in 2022.Eden Hazard was sent off in the 2013 League Cup semi-final for kicking Charlie MorganCredit: News Group Newspapers LtdThere are also plans to crack down on goalkeepers holding the ball for too longCredit: Getty More

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      Man City boss Pep Guardiola reveals his biggest fear ahead of huge Premier League title clash at Liverpool

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      PEP GUARDIOLA warned his Manchester City stars: Don’t let any Anfield ref errors KO our title dream.Guardiola’s Premier League champs have won just twice at Liverpool since 1981 and have been on the wrong end of a string of questionable calls. Pep Guardiola does not want referee blunders to ruin the trip to LiverpoolCredit: GettyVictory against Liverpool this afternoon will send City back to the top of the table.And Etihad chief Guardiola said: “You can’t control what happens in the stadium with the refs. All we can do is perform better.“We have to overcome absolutely everything, otherwise it will be difficult to win there on Sunday.“All I can handle is our performance — who we are and what we are as a team. READ MORE ON FOOTBALL”That’s all I can deal with. If it happens, it happens, so we will see.”Last season, a Phil Foden effort was ruled out when Erling Haaland was controversially pulled up for a foul in a game City lost 1-0.And in 2019, in Liverpool’s title-winning season, Fabinho scored seconds after Trent Alexander-Arnold escaped a handball in his own box.Referee Michael Oliver, who has Stuart Attwell on VAR duties today, took charge of that game, which ended with a furious Guardiola sarcastically saying “thank you very much” to him after the final whistle. Most read in FootballCHELTENHAM BETTING OFFERS – BEST FREE BET DEALS FOR THE FESTIVAL Other controversies include a Mo Salah strike from a seemingly offside position.But it was Foden’s disallowed goal last term that was on Guardiola’s mind when he added: “It’s not the first time and it won’t be the last.Every Premier League stadium ranked by the number of pubs nearby with one boasting over 130 local boozers“All we have to do is perform better. “For big achievements, chasing four titles in a row — that no team has done ever — it’s the challenge we have to face.“I’m pretty sure we will perform well and, whatever happens, we have many games to play.”Guardiola has had previous at Anfield with today’s official Michael OliverCredit: Getty Images – GettyPhil Foden had a goal controversially ruled out in last season’s defeatCredit: The Times More

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      Mike Dean slams new Premier League referee as ‘bang out of order’ after spotting what he did at half-time

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      LEADING referee Mike Dean blasted whistler Sunny Singh Gill as “bang out of order” – for signing AUTOGRAPHS at half-time on his historic Premier League debut.Gill, 39, became the top-flight’s first-ever British South Asian ref in Crystal Palace’s 1-1 home draw with Luton on Saturday.Referee Sunny Singh Gill sparked controversy by signing autographsGill made history at Selhurst Park in the Prem over the weekendCredit: GettyTop ref Mike Dean was staggered by what he saw as a pundit for Sky SportsBut he raised eyebrows with his actions during the break as he stopped to scribble his name for admirers.Many fans reacted with shock – as did former long-serving Prem ref and current VAR Dean.Asked on Sky Sports News if he had ever done such a thing himself, the 59-year-old replied: “I did after about 300 games!”He added: “I don’t see the point. You’re on a hiding to nothing now.. if kids ask, maybe, but not at half-time, it’s bang out or order.”READ MORE IN FOOTBALLMany viewers agreed, with one posting: “Just seen… Absolute disgrace, does he think he’s some kind of star? His conduct really needs to be investigated.”But another viewer defended Gill – and looked at the bigger pictureHe wrote: “Sunny Singh Gill makes history, a rare inspiring story about a ref, and Mike Dean slags him off for signing an autograph… You should be ashamed of yourself Mike.”Gill saw Jean-Philippe Mateta put the Eagles in front after 11 minutes.Most read in FootballCHELTENHAM BETTING OFFERS – BEST FREE BET DEALS FOR THE FESTIVAL Sunny Singh Gill surprised some observers with his half-time decisionCredit: RexThat deepened Luton’s woes in the drop zone and left Palace scenting a rise into mid-table.But Cauley Woodrow snatched a point-saver deep into stoppage time.Sunny Singh Gill is a Premier League referee but by night I live a very different life as a prison officer Ahead of his momentous day, ex-prison officer Gill had told EFL.com: “Football has always run in the family. “Me and my brother grew up loving the game and like most young kids, we just wanted to play.”But in our household it was a bit different because when we were going to primary school, we knew our dad was going out to referee on a weekend.”There were times he was a fourth official in the Premier League and our friends would say they saw him on Match of the Day!” More

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      I’m a Premier League referee – but by night I live a very different life as a prison officer

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      HISTORY-MAKER Sunny Gill Singh uses skills he learnt working in jails to keep control on a football pitch.Prison officer Gill will become the first British South Asian to referee a top-flight match in England when he takes charge of the Premier League clash between Crystal Palace and Luton tomorrow.Sunny Gill Singh will become the first South Asian to referee a Premier League matchCredit: RexGill also works as a prison officerCredit: GettyHe worked at Feltham Prison and Young Offender Institution as recently as 2022Credit: PA:Press AssociationGill worked at Feltham Prison and Young Offender Institution as recently as 2022 and still does the occasional shift in the prison service.He said: “I find it a little bit easier managing players!“But there’s always pressure and there are 22 sets of eyes in different positions that will always have an opinion. “In a prison, you’ve got to know how to talk to people when they get angry and frustrated.READ MORE IN FOOTBALL“Players are the same when things don’t go their way.“You have to sell your decision to them straight away. You have to be a bit cute.”When Gill started reffing Sunday league football at the age of 17, he found it a lot tougher.He explained: “The players would turn up half-drunk from the Saturday night out. They always thought they knew more than you.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERS“Every decision you made, it was World War III.“For £25 a match or whatever, I didn’t even enjoy it and it put me off.’Just doing my job’ – EFL referee reveals how he dealt with star being racially abused as he’s praised for interview“I never faced any racial comments, but I nearly got into a few fights, definitely.“And as a non-white person in the game, it’s easier for people to remember your face if you make a mistake.”Fortunately, Gill and his brother Bhupinder, a high-level assistant referee, had the perfect role model in their father, Jarnail Singh.The latter remains the only man wearing a turban to ref an English league match, having taken charge of 150 EFL matches between 2004 and 2010.Gill, 39, said: “The first match I went to with my dad was Arsenal vs Everton when he was fourth official.“I was used to seeing my dad on Match of the Day and speaking about it at school.”Now Gill will make his debut on the BBC show after a meteoric rise.When SunSport spoke to the family in 2020, Gill had just been promoted to National League Premier level.I’m improving in every department… I now want to set more goals and fulfil my dreamSunny Gill SinghIn April 2021, he and Bhups were the first South Asians to officiate at the same Championship game when he was fourth official and his brother was an assistant for Nottingham Forest’s visit to Bristol City.Then in November 2023, Gill was the first South Asian since his dad to ref a Championship game as he took charge of Huddersfield vs Watford.He and his brother benefited from the FA’s three-year equality, diversity and inclusion plan, In Pursuit of Progress, and its specific Asian Inclusion Strategy.Gill has learnt how to deal with footballers thanks to his other jobCredit: ReutersThe ref compared players to angry inmatesCredit: AlamyGill is following in the footsteps of his refereeing fatherCredit: GettyIn 2019, the FA launched its Asian Inclusion Strategy, a five-pillar plan that aims to address the underrepresentation of Asian communities by encouraging more players, coaches, referees and staff from an Asian background to make football their chosen career path.Now the FA and refereeing body the PGMOL are working together via the new Core X programme to create more diversity among top-level match officials, while a separate initiative aims to recruit 1,000 more referees from under-represented backgrounds.Bhups made his Premier League debut last season and now Sunny will take the biggest step of all for British Asian match officials – just as he hoped to do when speaking last October.READ MORE SUN STORIESGill said: “It’s been a lot of hard work training away from the pitch, improving in every department with the help of the PGMOL and my coaches.“I now want to set more goals and fulfil my dream of becoming the first South Asian to referee in the Premier League.” Jarnail Singh took charge of 150 EFL matches between 2004 and 2010Credit: GettySunny’s brother Bhupinder made his Premier League debut as an assistant last seasonCredit: Getty More