(foto: Getty Images)
Michael Oliver has faced heavy criticism after controversial calls in high-profile matches, including the Merseyside derby. The FA is reviewing incidents involving Liverpool, Arsenal, and past controversies.
Michael Oliver has found himself at the center of intense criticism following a series of controversial refereeing decisions, with both Arsenal and Liverpool fans expressing their frustration. The fallout from his handling of the Merseyside derby has led to FA charges, while past incidents continue to add pressure on the experienced referee.
The derby at Goodison Park ended in a dramatic 2-2 draw, with James Tarkowski scoring a last-minute equalizer for Everton. However, the match was overshadowed by a series of contentious decisions, including the post-match dismissals of Curtis Jones, Abdoulaye Doucoure, Liverpool boss Arne Slot, and his assistant Sipke Hulshoff. Both Liverpool and Slot have since been charged by the FA.
It’s not the first time Oliver has been at the heart of controversy this season. His officiating in an Arsenal fixture recently sparked outrage when he sent off Myles Lewis-Skelly for a challenge on Wolves’ Matt Doherty. The decision was overturned on appeal, leading to former PGMOL chief Keith Hackett suggesting Oliver should take a break from refereeing.
“I’d be admitting that this is a major error that you don’t expect the alleged number one referee to make,” Hackett told talkSPORT. “I think he requires operational advice. I’d be saying to Michael Oliver, ‘I think you need a rest.’”
Oliver's restricted fixtures
Despite being one of the Premier League’s top officials, Oliver, a self-confessed Newcastle United fan, is banned from officiating games involving his boyhood club to avoid any allegations of bias. He also cannot oversee matches involving Sunderland, Newcastle’s biggest rivals.
“We have to declare if we have an allegiance to any club or if a family member works at a club,” Oliver previously told the Daily Mail.
He also revealed that he cannot referee matches involving teams that directly impact Newcastle’s league position. “If Newcastle needed a point to survive and the team they were fighting to get above was, say, Villa, I couldn’t referee Villa’s game either. I wouldn’t want to. It’s not worth the hassle.”
Merseyside chaos and FA action
The fallout from the Merseyside derby continues, with the FA reviewing Oliver’s match report and video footage before deciding on further action. Initially, the Premier League announced a two-game ban for Slot, only to retract their statement. The FA has now charged the Liverpool manager for “acting in an improper manner and/or using insulting and/or abusive words and/or behaviour towards the referee and an assistant referee.”
A red card for coaching staff does not automatically lead to a touchline ban, but a suspension remains a possibility as the FA deliberates on the final punishment.