Oliver to Referee at Portman Road Tuesday, 28th Jan 2025 17:00 Michael Oliver, the subject of online abuse and threats after red-carding Arsenal’s Myles Lewis-Skelly during the Gunners’ game against Wolves at the weekend, will be in charge of the Blues’ crucial home match against Southampton on Saturday afternoon.
Oliver, 39, dismissed Lewis-Skelly for a foul on Matt Doherty not far outside his own area as Wolves broke away, a decision VAR upheld but which was subsequently widely criticised and has now been overturned by an FA independent regulatory commission.
The red card led to online abuse and death threats aimed at Oliver, which the referees’ association, the PGMOL, condemned in a statement.
“We are appalled by the threats and abuse directed at Michael Oliver,” the statement reads. “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. We are supporting Michael, and all those affected, and are determined to tackle this unacceptable behaviour.
“Sadly, this is not the first time a match official has been forced to deal with threats in recent times. We will continue to support all investigations.”
The Premier League also issued a statement: “The Premier League strongly condemns the threats and abuse directed at Michael Oliver.
“No official should be subject to any form of abuse. We will continue to support Michael, PGMOL and all investigations.”
Oliver, who was last at Portman Road for the 2-0 defeat to Everton, will be assisted by Stuart Burt and James Mainwaring with the fourth official James Linington, the VAR official Jarred Gillett and his assistant Adam Nunn.
Photo: Matchday Images
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MickMillsTash added 17:12 - Jan 28
Maybe Michael Oliver watched Oudergaards cheating against us at the EMIrates. After that you couldn't help but be biased against Arsenal What's wrong with Martin Oudergarrd ?- Nothing - he just a cheating cockney cheat ! |  | |
Michael101 added 17:14 - Jan 28
What's go on?? Just because a referee makes a decision they don't like . |  | |
Bazza8564 added 17:18 - Jan 28
I have no issues with Oliver, death threats is a joke and I hope the red card is upheld. |  | |
Churchmans_crate added 17:22 - Jan 28
Yes, agree @Bazza8564 - Lewis-Skelly lunged in on Doherty with no hope of getting the ball, raking his studs down Doherty's calf, as the replays clearly showed. Red card. |  | |
Steve_ITFC_Sweden added 17:22 - Jan 28
I think you'll find Martin Ødegaard is Norwegian. |  | |
Churchmans_crate added 17:25 - Jan 28
...but never mind the issuing of the red card being correct or not, what is going on with people that they think it's OK to threaten a referee for making a decision that they do not agree with? |  | |
Marcus added 17:28 - Jan 28
There's a line between banter and abuse. It isn't that fine a line. Everyone needs to feel safe at work. |  | |
TimmyH added 17:29 - Jan 28
Apparently we're the unluckiest side in the Premiership so far this season based on VAR decisions, injuries and late goals against...about that changed, okay Michael? :) You couldn't make it up! |  | |
TimmyH added 17:30 - Jan 28
'time' |  | |
blues1 added 17:31 - Jan 28
He and Anthony Taylor the best 2 refs weve had all,season. Hopefully he'll have another good game on Saturday. |  | |
BrockleyBlue78 added 17:50 - Jan 28
Was a red. Studs up rather than tripping. Poor guy, hope he gets a good reception from PR |  | |
Gforce added 17:50 - Jan 28
@Blues1......Took the words out of my mouth, totally agree. Best two and most consistent ref's by a mile. |  | |
Gforce added 18:04 - Jan 28
If the nice Mr Oliver gives us a pen on Saturday, perhaps we should sing,there's only 1 Michael Oliver, might cheer him up ,and show him most fans are not like Arsenals ! |  | |
Suffolkboy added 18:07 - Jan 28
Let’s all hope Portman Road proves the sporting venue and honestly spirited game without any of this despicable behaviour ! It’s sad that some Managers feel so motivated to ‘attack’ refereeing but fail to display the leadership and honest integrity the game so misses at times ! COYB |  | |
Jugsy added 18:18 - Jan 28
I saw it as two offences, a professional foul on Doherty but also a challenge with studs up. Red all day. As for the death threats, football pundits and journos need to take more responsibility. The way they dramatised the decision as ‘the worst they’d ever seen’ adds fuel to the fire and provides the narrative that some muppets feed off. Clearly not the worst ever (Chaplin v Leicester and Pedro on Walton are two which beat it) and get off the refs are the enemy notion. |  | |
Bert added 18:43 - Jan 28
Hate has infected politics and sport to the extent that is almost the norm. Only by our own actions can stop it. Would be good to show Michael Oliver that we support him and his family. |  | |
smithlarr added 18:57 - Jan 28
Red card has been rescinded, unsurprisingly. Enciso's challenge was more of a red than Lewis-Skelly's was. |  | |
armchaircritic59 added 19:28 - Jan 28
Fortunately most of us don't have an employment ( I'm retired ), where our actions, often needing to be made in a split second, are scrutinised in great detail by many thousands of people across the country. If that was so, I think we might look at things a little differently. Yes, referees, aren't perfect, they make mistakes, so do you and I, and we fortunately don't get trial by social media etc. Let's give Mr Oliver some support at the weekend, no one should get abuse and threats for trying to do their job to the best of their ability. |  | |
SuperTabby added 20:24 - Jan 28
He’s a top referee, so quite glad we’ve got him this weekend rather than one of the weaker ones in the league like Tim Robinson. The type of abuse he’s received this week is horrific. Who would want to be a referee? |  | |
howsey51 added 20:29 - Jan 28
Don’t have a problem with Michael Oliver. The death threats are moronic. I do however have a problem with Manchester City owners paying referees exorbitant fees to officiate matches that cannot help but have a subconscious impact ( https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/4922732/2023/10/03/referees-var-diaz-liverpool/ Also-can’t agree Brockley Blue- watched the replay many times and I don’t see studs on his leg at any point… |  | |
IpswichToon added 22:16 - Jan 28
Funnily enough the death threats may actually prevent the red card from being overturned, as it may validate it being a ‘wrong decision’ and making it worse. |  | |
Crawfordsboot added 07:16 - Jan 29
All refs will get decisions wrong from time to time. The card has been overturned. The one question outstanding for me is whether the VAR officials should be sanctioned for not correcting the error. |  | |
BlueMoolay added 08:06 - Jan 29
Good ref....I agree Gforce....lets give him a song on Saturday....until he gives a decision against us anyway :-) |  | |
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