Referee Michael Oliver, who has officiated in the Premier League since 2010, has been banned from taking charge of the Carabao Cup final between Liverpool and Newcastle United next month. This decision comes after Oliver, a lifelong Newcastle fan, declared his allegiance to the club, which prevents him from officiating in any matches involving them.
Oliver, 39, who grew up in Northumberland, has been seen wearing Newcastle’s black and white colors and previously stated in an interview with the Daily Mail that all referees must disclose any team allegiances to the PGMOL. As a result, he is prohibited from refereeing games involving Newcastle or their fierce rivals Sunderland, given the intense rivalry between the two clubs.
While some Liverpool fans may be pleased by Oliver’s absence on March 16th, the decision is not related to his performance in recent matches, such as the Merseyside derby. Rather, it’s a precautionary measure due to his long-standing support for Newcastle. Oliver also mentioned that if a team like Newcastle were in a relegation battle, he would also refrain from officiating games involving teams competing directly with them.
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Oliver’s exclusion extends beyond Newcastle games—he is also barred from refereeing matches involving Sunderland. In the past, there have been calls from some Arsenal supporters for similar restrictions, pointing to his history of handing out red cards in games involving the Gunners.
Michael Oliver’s Premier League Record:
- Games: 391
- Yellow Cards: 1,287
- Straight Red Cards: 34
- Second Yellow Cards: 22
- Penalty Kicks: 121
