Michael Oliver will not take charge of a Premier League match this weekend.
The match official last took charge of Crystal Palace vs Millwall in the FA Cup and failed to stop play when Jean-Philippe Mateta was kicked in the head and suffered an injury. Oliver only sent off Lions goalkeeper Liam Roberts after being instructed to review the challenge by VAR and failed to stop play immediately as Mateta lay on the ground.
The Crystal Palace forward eventually received lengthy treatment and was provided with oxygen as he was stretchered off the field. The 27-year-old was assessed for a head injury and required specialist care as he received 25 stitches to patch up a severe laceration to his left ear at St George’s Hospital.
Former Prem referee and PGMOL chief Keith Hackett slammed Oliver’s initial decision and told Football Insider 247: “What an appalling challenge and I have to ask the question why one of the world’s top referees failed to immediately show a red card. It is frankly an absolute no brainer.
“What is also appalling is that referee Michael Oliver had to rely on VAR in order to deliver the outcome. It didn’t need a second look, it was horrendous.”
Crystal Palace chairman Steve Parish criticised Oliver and Millwall goalkeeper Roberts in the aftermath of the Eagles’ FA Cup win. He said: “In all the time I’ve watched football, I’ve not seen a challenge like it.
“I looked to see how old the keeper was and he’s 30 years old. He needs to have a long hard look at himself that lad. He’s endangering a fellow professional and maybe his life. It is difficult for me to talk about the rest of the game if you’re worried about JP. It is a terrible challenge.
“They’re professionals and they have to treat each other like professionals and have a duty of care for your fellow professionals. That keeper has not had one (duty of care). Credit to the players carrying on. It is difficult for me to think about anything else with JP in hospital.
“Why the referee (Michael Oliver) needed to go to the screen I have got no idea. He’s a human being. Forget he’s a football player. It is not a normal challenge. We want to progress, but it is difficult for me to look past that challenge.”
Oliver is expected to be in action on Wednesday evening however. The 40-year-old match official is due to take charge for the first leg of the Champions League clash between Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich and Bayer Leverkusen.
Before the incident at Selhurst Park, Oliver has been the man in the middle in some huge recent Premier League controversies. He was the referee to show Arsenal defender Myles Lewis-Skelly a straight red card against Wolves – which was later rescinded. Then less than a month later was at the centre of huge controversy in the final Merseyside Derby at Goodison Park.
Everton scored a last-gasp equaliser against Liverpool, sparking wild scenes of celebration in the home ends. However, the Reds felt the goal should have been disallowed with Oliver ultimately showing Arne Slot a post-match red card for his furious reaction to the decision.
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