Referee Michael Oliver has not been selected to officiate a Premier League game this weekend. This decision follows his controversial call during a recent match where he initially decided against sending off a Millwall player for what many considered a dangerous kung-fu kick.
In the game, Oliver, aged 40, initially did not issue a red card to Millwall goalkeeper Liam Roberts for a severe challenge on Crystal Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta. The Video Assistant Referee (VAR) had to step in and advise Oliver to review the incident, which led to Roberts eventually being sent off.
Initially, the referee didn’t even call a foul for the serious incident in the FA Cup game. Mateta was taken to the hospital and required twenty-five stitches for a deep cut to his ear.
Crystal Palace chairman Steve Parish described the tackle as “endangering a fellow professional, maybe even his life,” highlighting the severity of the challenge.
Crystal Palace won the FA Cup match 3-1 at their home ground, Selhurst Park, eliminating Millwall.
Mateta was later released from the hospital after scans showed no further issues, and he was reported to be “feeling well”.
Millwall manager Alex Neil and player Roberts both contacted Mateta after the game to check on his condition.
Oliver will not referee a game this weekend and is also not assigned as a fourth official or VAR for any Premier League matches.
However, he is scheduled to referee a high-profile Champions League match between Bayern Munich and Bayer Leverkusen in the round of 16.
This Champions League game will be played tomorrow night at the Allianz Arena.
Sources within the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) have indicated that referee rotation is standard practice in the Premier League.
Oliver also had a weekend off in mid-February, following his refereeing of a contentious Merseyside derby between Everton and Liverpool that ended 2-2, with multiple red cards issued to players and coaches.
Liverpool manager Arne Slot was very critical of Oliver’s refereeing after the Merseyside derby.
Slot received a two-match ban and a £70,000 fine for his angry reaction after the game ended.
Slot reportedly told Oliver that he would “blame” him if Liverpool failed to win the Premier League title.
Despite dropping points in the Merseyside derby, Liverpool remains the favorite to win the league title this season.
The Football Association (FA) has supported Oliver in this instance, as shown by the published reasons for the penalties given to Slot and his assistant Sipke Hulshoff after the derby.
Both clubs were also penalized due to incidents that began with Everton player Abdoulaye Doucoure’s celebrations at the end of the game.
A commission explained that referee Oliver reported being confronted by Arne Slot on the field after the final whistle in an aggressive manner.
Slot reportedly used abusive language while shaking Oliver’s hand, criticizing his performance.
Oliver confirmed that Slot approached him again shortly after and said, “If we don’t win the league, I’ll f****** blame you.”
Slot then allegedly turned to an assistant referee and twice shouted that it was “a f****** disgrace.”
Consequently, Arne Slot was shown a red card by the referee after the match.
Oliver also reported that Hulshoff continued with verbal abuse, leading to a two-game ban and a £7,000 fine for the Liverpool assistant coach.
