Southampton boss Ralph Hasenhuttl charged by the FA over post-match comments about Mike Dean

Southampton boss Ralph Hasenhuttl charged by the FA for sarcastically suggesting he knew Saints captain James Ward-Prowse would be sent off because Mike Dean was the VAR

  • Ralph Hasenhuttl was unhappy with James Ward-Prowse’s dismissal at Chelsea
  • Southampton star was initially shown a yellow card for a late tackle on Jorginho
  • VAR Mike Dean told referee Martin Atkinson to review the incident on October 2 
  • Saints boss sarcastically suggested he knew the outcome would be a red card


Southampton manager Ralph Hasenhuttl has been charged by the Football Association over his comments about video assistant referee Mike Dean following his side’s defeat at Chelsea.

Hasenhuttl was unhappy about the sending-off of James Ward-Prowse during the 3-1 defeat on October 2.

The midfielder was initially shown a yellow card by referee Martin Atkinson for a late tackle on Jorginho, but it was upgraded to red after Dean told his colleague to review the incident on the pitchside monitor.

Ralph Hasenhuttl was left frustrated by James Ward-Prowse’s sending off against Chelsea

The sending off irked Hasenhuttl, who sarcastically suggested he knew the outcome of the review would be a red card as Dean was the VAR official for the game.

‘I knew when Mike Dean was on the VAR that the referee would go and have a look at it,’ he told BBC 5 Live.

Speaking to BBC Radio Solent, the Austrian conceded he had not seen the incident but reiterated his feelings about Dean.

‘I always have a bit of a problem when we know Mike Dean is on VAR because we don’t have a good history with him, to be honest,’ he said.

Ward-Prowse was initially booked for this challenge on Jorginho in the second half

Ward-Prowse was initially booked for this challenge on Jorginho in the second half

Ward-Prowse’s dismissal came in the 77th minute of the match, with the score at 1-1, before Chelsea scored twice against 10 men to seal victory. 

An FA statement read: ‘It is alleged that comments made by the manager during two post-match interviews constitute improper conduct in that they questioned the integrity of the VAR match official and/or implied bias and/or bring the game into disrepute.’

Hasenhuttl, who has been charged with two breaches of Rule E3, has until Tuesday, to respond.  

Atkinson was urged to review the incident on the pitchside monitor by VAR official Mike Dean

Atkinson was urged to review the incident on the pitchside monitor by VAR official Mike Dean

The referee eventually upgraded the yellow card to a red and sent off the Saints captain

The referee eventually upgraded the yellow card to a red and sent off the Saints captain

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