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Cardiff-Swansea derby fear for referee Mike Dean
MIKE DEAN will referee the potentially explosive South Wales derby between Cardiff and Swansea on Sunday – having been hit by a coin the last time he was in charge of the match.
Dean suffered a cut to his forehead when he was hit by the object thrown by a Cardiff yob in April 2009.
The decision has infuriated Swansea fans because in that same game, Dean awarded Cardiff a debatable last-minute penalty to earn the home side a 2-2 draw, with then manager Roberto Martinez accusing him of making an “emotional decision”.
Phil Sumbler, chair of Swansea Supporters’ Trust, said: “Given Mike Dean’s association with this tie, particularly the last game at Ninian Park, this was something that should have been avoided. It has put more pressure on the game than was needed.”