Mark Clattenburg has given his verdict on the row between Mauricio Pochettino and Mike Dean following Tottenham’s defeat to Burnley on Saturday, claiming that he is “confident” the referee will have said something to the Spurs boss.
Pochettino took exception to Dean’s decision to award Burnley a corner in the build-up to their first goal, but seemingly lost his temper entirely after an on-field spat with the referee.
Writing in a column for the Daily Mail, Clattenburg suggested that it would not be out of character for Dean to have said something to the manager, and suggested that the whole thing will have been recorded.
He said: “I expect Mauricio Pochettino to be charged by the FA for his behaviour towards referee Mike Dean — and the recording of their exchange could be used in evidence.
“Pochettino was angered with the award of a corner which led to Burnley’s opening goal and, perhaps, by something Dean said — at least judging by the reaction of the Spurs boss.
“I have known Dean for a number of years and I am confident he would have said something in reaction to the manager’s outburst after the final whistle.
“It is important to remember that, in light of unfounded allegations made against me by John Mikel Obi after a Chelsea v Manchester United match in 2012, referees are now recorded during Premier League matches. We will see what that reveals.”
OPINION
Until that recording is revealed, it is merely speculation as to what was said between the two men, but is certainly out of Pochettino’s character to completely blow his stack like that, even over a contentious decision after a defeat. Dean is a good referee, but he is also a bit of a character, and you can’t escape the feeling that their are times when his ego overtakes his dedication to putting in an impartial and low key performance. That’s not justification for Pochettino’s actions, and regardless of any potential provocation, he should know better than to give a referee both barrels immediately after a match in full view of the television cameras. That being said, it would suggest that Dean maybe did say something to rile an otherwise level-headed and diplomatic figure. Obviously, you cannot jump to the conclusion until the evidence is heard, but Clattenburg’s testimony would seemingly add to the suspicion, and regardless of the outcome, this is going to be a fascinating saga.