Footage emerges of Mike Dean's first Premier League red card with iconic ref now retired

dailystar.co.uk:

Premier League red card was given to Nolberto Solano during Ipswich's 1-0 win over Newcastle 21 years ago.In 2001 at Portman Road, the now-retired referee brandished his very first red card to the Magpies midfielder.

The away side lost 1-0 in Suffolk - but, perhaps unsurprisingly, it was the iconic official who was at the forefront of discussion.It started off when prodigy Carl Cort found the back of the net in the first-half, but Dean chalked it off and claimed that something was amiss.

The striker led the protests, but the referee, in typical Dean fashion, just waved him on. Then the Merseyside official handed out a straight red to right-winger Solano for handling the ball on the line.Marcus Stewart buried the subsequent penalty, the only goal of the game, as the Tractor Boys earned three points over Sir Bobby Robson’s men.

Indeed, Dean retired after a 22-year career in the Premier League. Known for his eccentric behaviour and memorable moments, he has become something of a cult hero. Would you like to see Mike Dean on I'm A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here? Let us know in the comments section belowFrom jokingly refusing to give Sergio Aguero the match ball after the striker netted a hat-trick, sniffing his assistant before an encounter between Manchester City and Manchester United, and even telling Brighton defender Lewis Dunk 'off you pop' after the player's protests, Dean has made a name as being one of the league's most recognisable faces.Following the announcement of his retirement, Dean said that he felt that ‘things had got to change’.“Times have moved on, referees are getting older, I am not getting as fit as I used to be, so things have got to change,” he said to Sky Sports. "I have made the decision myself, I.