Under-fire referee Michael Oliver makes Premier League resolution after Arsenal fury
Under-fire referee Michael Oliver has made his decision on whether he will return to referee a Premier League match this weekend after receiving threats and abuse after controversially sending off Arsenal’s Myles Lewis-Skelly
Despite facing intense criticism, referee Michael Oliver is set to officiate a Premier League match this weekend.
The 39-year-old official and his family have been subjected to abhorrent abuse following his contentious decision to send off Arsenal left-back Myles Lewis-Skelly on Saturday.
Oliver, who is regarded as one of the top referees in the Premier League, dismissed the 18-year-old in the first-half after he caught Wolves defender Matt Doherty on the calf and ankle with his studs. His decision, which Arsenal have now formally appealed against, was upheld by VAR.
Even though Arsenal managed to scrape a 1-0 victory, and Wolves also had a player sent off in the second half, the decision sparked heated debates throughout the week. There were rumours that Oliver would be relieved from his duties this weekend due to the ongoing backlash.
However, the Northumberland-born referee doesn’t want to shy away and has demonstrated his drive to return to the pitch as soon as possible with him set to take charge of Wednesday’s Champions League match between Barcelona and Atalanta.
And the Premier League have now confirmed he will referee the relegation battle between Ipswich Town and bottom-of-the-league Southampton at Portman Road on Saturday.
Oliver has also been assigned to handle next month’s rescheduled Merseyside derby, the final clash between rivals Everton and Liverpool at Goodison Park.
Reports have emerged that referee Michael Oliver and his family were subjected to horrifying threats following Arsenal’s win at Molineux. On the morning after the match, Oliver discovered a police car stationed outside his home, with officers present to ensure his family’s safety.
The Daily Mail reported that a death threat had been made against Oliver and his two-year-old daughter, information which the Metropolitan Police relayed to refereeing authorities. Just three weeks prior, a troll had threatened to blow up his car with his family inside.
In response, the PGMOL issued a statement condemning the abuse directed at Oliver. “We are appalled by the threats and abuse directed at Michael Oliver following the Wolverhampton Wanderers v Arsenal fixture,” the PGMOL stated.
“No official should be subject to any form of abuse, let alone the abhorrent attacks aimed at Michael and his family over the past 24 hours. The police are aware, and a number of investigations have commenced.”
The PGMOL expressed their commitment to supporting Oliver and all those affected while tackling such unacceptable behaviour.
