Mike Dean: Premier League referee and family receive online death threats

“Mike and his family have our full support in reporting this to the police. This once again highlights the need for greater proactive intervention from social media companies to stop online abuse and identify offenders.”

“We can confirm officers are investigating allegations of malicious communications reported today, Monday 8 February,” Merseyside Police told CNN in a statement. “The reports relate to social media accounts and enquiries are ongoing.

“We monitor the internet, and if we identify any offenses we will take action. Those who use the internet to target others, and who commit a criminal offense such as hate crime or malicious communications in doing so, are not beyond the law — and can and will be investigated and brought to justice.”

Dean will referee Leicester City’s FA Cup fifth-round tie against Brighton on Wednesday, but he asked not be involved in any of Premier League’s fixtures this weekend.

‘Abhorrent messages’

Mike Riley, the head of refereeing in England, said the abuse directed at Dean is “totally unacceptable.”

“We fully support Mike’s decision to report these messages his family received to the police,” he said. “Nobody should be victim of abhorrent messages like this. Online abuse is unacceptable in any walk of life and more needs to be done to tackle the problem.”

West Ham midfielder Soucek also tweeted his support for Dean and his family.

“Whatever decisions are made on the pitch should stay on the pitch,” he wrote. “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.”