English Premier League referee Mike Dean has withdrawn from officiating in any league game this weekend after his family received death threats.

The referee controversially sent off West Ham midfielder Tomas Soucek late in the Hammers’ top-flight draw against Fulham last week, a decision which has since been overturned.

That incident came just four days after he showed Southampton defender Jan Bednarek a red card in Saints’ 9-0 thrashing at Manchester United. The decision was again overturned on appeal.

However, Dean will still officiate Wednesday’s FA Cup game between Brighton and Leicester City.- Soccer 24 Zimbabwe