The chairman of the Referees' Association believes it's only a matter of time before an official loses their life. 

Experienced official Mike Dean had his request to be stood down from action this coming weekend granted by the Professional Game Match Officials Board (PGMOL).

Dean received death threats online following a pair of red decisions he made during recent Premier League games.

The 52-year-old dismissed West Ham United midfielder Tomas Soucek last Saturday after he caught Fulham striker Aleksandar Mitrovic with his elbow during the meeting of the sides at Craven Cottage.

That incident occurred just days after Dean sent off Southampton defender Jan Bednarek during Manchester United's 9-0 league drubbing of the Saints, for a tackle on striker Anthony Martial in the box.

"He [Dean] is a victim, Paul Field told Sky Sports News, "He has to look after his family of course and actually his own emotional welfare.

"It is totally unacceptable, and one day in this country a referee will be killed. I have warned the football authorities about this, I have warned the Government that this is coming.

"One day we will be having a conversation when a match official has lost their life."

Field cited an incident in the Netherlands in 2012, when an assistant referee died having been kicked and beaten by several players at a youth match.

"Football is a reflection of society," he added, "We can't cure all the ills in society through football and education,.

"But I think if the deterrents were made significantly stronger that people would stop and think, stop and pause before you act.

"It can't be right that someone walks onto the Olympic Stadium in London and puts a corner flag on a penalty mark and gets a 10-year ban, whereas someone who pushes over a young person on Hackney Marshes can go to the game the following Saturday.

"There has to be a basket of deterrents open to the court system."

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