Mike Dean swaps VAR hotseat for Spain as former referee takes mid-season holiday to stock up on BEER

MIKE DEAN has been given the weekend off by the Premier League for a holiday in Spain.

The Wirral whistler, who retired as a referee last season, is now a dedicated VAR official.

And Dean, 54, has swapped Stockley Park for stocking up on beers in Murcia.

Dean posted on his Instagram stories: “Outdoor fridge fully stocked ready for the invasion.”

The picture had shelves of beers on show including Mahou and Estrella.

Dean is enjoying his holiday ahead of next month’s World Cup.

During the Qatar tournament, the ex-Premier League official will be a pundit for beIN Sports to provide analysis of the finals.

His last Prem action saw him as the VAR official for West Ham’s 2-0 win over Bournemouth on Monday night which angered Cherries caretaker boss Gary O’Neil.

O’Neil slammed VAR as “getting ridiculous” after Kurt Zouma’s header for the opener was allowed to stand despite the ball hitting the arm of Thilo Kehrer in the build-up.

The Hammers were also awarded a penalty when Bournemouth sub Jordan Zemura handled Vladimir Coufal’s cross.

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Meanwhile, Dean also landed himself in hot water earlier this season when he failed to spot Cristian Romero’s hair pull on Marc Cucurella during Spurs‘ 2-2 draw with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.

Dean reviewed the incident but deemed it not to be a red card offence.

And from the resulting corner, Harry Kane headed a stoppage time equaliser for Tottenham.