Michael Oliver has been barred from taking charge of matches involving two specific clubs, following controversy over his involvement in Sunday’s Premier League match between Liverpool and Manchester City.
The 40-year-old, one of England’s most senior referees with more than 400 Premier League fixtures to his name, was in the VAR room for the clash at the Etihad.
Earlier this year, Oliver already faced a backlash from Liverpool fans after a 2-2 draw with Everton, where he sent off Arne Slot and one of his assistants. On Sunday, he was at the centre of criticism again after Virgil van Dijk’s first-half goal was ruled out for offside, with VAR deciding Andy Robertson interfered with play.
Robertson was positioned in front of the goalkeeper and ducked as Van Dijk’s header flew past him.
The Premier League later issued a statement:
> “The referee’s decision of offside and no goal for Liverpool was checked and confirmed by VAR, with Robertson in an offside position and considered to have made an obvious action directly in front of the goalkeeper.”
After the match, a frustrated Arne Slot insisted the officials were wrong, saying: “He didn’t interfere at all with the goalkeeper.”
Liverpool believed the goal should have stood, and went on to lose 3-0.
Why Michael Oliver is banned from certain matches
Oliver is a lifelong Newcastle United fan and previously played for the club at youth level. Because of this declared connection, he is not allowed to officiate any Newcastle games. He is also prohibited from refereeing matches involving their rivals, Sunderland.
“We have to declare any club we support or if family members work for a club,” Oliver told the Daily Mail. “You can’t referee that team — and I can’t do Sunderland either, for obvious reasons.”
He added that he wouldn’t officiate a match where Newcastle’s result could indirectly benefit them in the standings, saying, “It’s not worth the hassle.”
Former PGMOL chief Keith Hackett previously explained the protocol:
> “At the start of every season, referees submit background information — who they support, whether they’ve played for a club, and their residential details — to ensure appointments avoid conflicts of interest.”
Hackett noted that this is why a referee from a specific city wouldn’t be assigned to a match featuring a local club.
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