West Ham midfielder Tomas Soucek has condemned the abuse and death threats Mike Dean received on social media after the referee handed out two controversial red cards.
Dean sent off Soucek in stoppage time of the Hammers' 0-0 draw with Fulham on Saturday after the Czech Republic international appeared to accidentally strike Aleksandar Mitrovic with his elbow.
That incident followed Dean's decision to dismiss Southampton defender Jan Bednarek in Manchester United's thumping 9-0 win over the Saints at Old Trafford four days earlier.
Dean handed out red cards in both cases after being advised to view the incidents on the pitchside monitors by VAR. Both suspensions have since been rescinded.
Whatever decisions are made on the pitch should stay on the pitch. I don’t like hearing about it interfering with personal life and I send Mike Dean and his family my support. There is no place for abuse of any kind. It is in the past and I’m now focused on the rest of the season https://t.co/Tcofvo8a9X
— Tomáš Souček (@tomassoucek28) February 8, 2021
Dean has reportedly asked not to officiate a Premier League game this weekend after he and his family were subjected to abuse on social media.
Soucek came out in support of Dean on Monday, insisting what happens on the pitch should stay there.
"Whatever decisions are made on the pitch should stay on the pitch," he posted on Twitter.
"I don't like hearing about it interfering with personal life and I send Mike Dean and his family my support.
"There is no place for abuse of any kind. It is in the past and I'm now focused on the rest of the season."
