Mike Dean has been under the spotlight since his controversial decision to send off Tomas Soucek. 

The midfielder was dismissed in West Ham's Premier League match against Fulham despite replays showing his 'elbow' apparently made no real contact. 

The decision has now been overturned. 

Dean has been heavily criticised by pundits and fans alike. 

However, appalling details are now emerging about the abuse he has suffered on social media. 

According to Martyn Ziegler of The Times, death threats were sent to the official and his family over the weekend. 

As a result, he has asked the Premier League to be taken off duty for the coming gameweek. 

Dean will still officiate in midweek in the FA Cup in a tie between Leicester City and Brighton. 

According to Sky Sports, he received the threats on social media and has now reported them to the police.

Referees had not yet been allocated games, so he has not officially been taken off any fixtures, but he won't be in action this weekend due to his decision. 

It's appalling to think that the 52-year-old has suffered such a horrific reaction, whatever you think of the red card. All referees make human errors and it should go without saying that they don't deserve to receive any form of serious abuse, let alone one so serious. 

Per the Daily Mail, Dean has also been scrutinized due to several other decisions, including denying Southampton a penalty for a handball.

That led the Saints to request they do not have him as a referee again.