Michael Oliver, one of England’s top referees, will be sitting out this weekend’s Premier League fixtures, leading to speculation about the reason behind his absence.
While PGMOL officials emphasize that referee rotations are a standard practice, his omission from the latest match appointments has raised eyebrows—especially given the fallout from his officiating in last week’s FA Cup clash between Crystal Palace and Millwall.
The Controversial Red Card Incident
During that match, Oliver initially missed a clear red-card offense by Millwall goalkeeper Liam Roberts, whose high challenge left Crystal Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta needing 25 stitches.
The decision only changed after a VAR review, prompting criticism from fans and even Palace chairman Steve Parish, who questioned why Oliver needed a second look at the pitch-side monitor to recognize the severity of the foul.
Impact on Upcoming Premier League Games
Given Oliver’s reputation as one of England’s most trusted referees, he was widely expected to officiate Sunday’s high-profile match between Manchester United and Arsenal.
However, not only is he absent from any on-field role, but he also won’t be working as a VAR or fourth official for any Premier League game this weekend.
A Champions League Assignment Instead
Despite missing domestic action, Oliver remains active on the international stage.
He is set to take charge of Wednesday’s Champions League knockout match between Bayern Munich and Bayer Leverkusen.
His presence in such a crucial European fixture suggests that his Premier League absence is not a disciplinary action but rather a part of standard referee assignments.
What’s Next?
With Oliver missing from the Premier League’s next round of fixtures, attention now turns to whether he will return in the following matchweek.
His handling of high-pressure games has often been scrutinized, but his continued presence in major UEFA competitions reinforces his standing as one of the top referees in the sport.
Whether his omission is purely rotational or influenced by recent criticism, fans will be watching closely to see when he resumes domestic officiating duties.