Michael Oliver Biggest Controversial Officiating in 2024/25 EPL Season
English Premier League referee, Michael Oliver standing amongst Liverpool players in February 12th Merseyside Derby. Photo Credit- This is Anfield
Football and the Premier League are not new to controversial officiating that has badly affected match moments and created regrets between players and football enthusiasts. However, this season, the case of controversial officiating is becoming unusually consistent and Michael Oliver has been dominating the headlines for such issues.
Michael Oliver, once heralded as one of the Premier League’s most reliable referees, has recently found himself at the center of several controversies and media scrutiny during the Premier League 2024/2025 season. These incidents have sparked debates about his on-field decision-making and consistency. Hence, this piece is set to explore five of the most contentious moments involving Oliver in the Premier League this season.
The Merseyside Derby Chaos
In the February 12, 2025, clash between Everton and Liverpool at Goodison Park, Oliver’s officiating came under intense scrutiny. The match concluded in a dramatic 2-2 draw, but it was the events surrounding Everton’s late equalizer that drew criticism. Oliver awarded a free-kick to Everton, leading to James Tarkowski’s 98th-minute goal. Many argued that the initial foul was dubious, and Liverpool supporters were further incensed by a perceived foul on Ibrahima Konate during the goal’s buildup, which Oliver overlooked.
The aftermath saw a hand-to-hand combat resulting in red cards for Liverpool’s Curtis Jones and manager Arne Slot, as well as Everton’s Abdoulaye Doucouré and assistant coach Sipke Hulshoff. Former PGMOL chief Keith Hackett labeled Oliver’s performance as “weak,” citing “too many errors” and a loss of control over the game’s proceedings.
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Arsenal’s Controversial Red Card Against Wolves
On January 25, 2025, Arsenal faced Wolverhampton Wanderers, where Oliver sent off 18-year-old Myles Lewis-Skelly for a trip on Matt Doherty. The decision to brandish a straight red card for what appeared to be a tactical foul was met with widespread criticism amongst football enthusiasts. Arsenal appealed the decision, and the FA’s independent regulatory commission upheld the appeal, stating that the referee had made an “obvious error” and that the challenge did not endanger the safety of the opponent nor used excessive force.
Questionable Decisions in Arsenal vs Manchester City
While the above controversies in Oliver’s officiating is not enough, earlier in the season, during a high-stakes match between Arsenal and Manchester City, Oliver issued a second yellow card to Leandro Trossard for allegedly delaying a restart by kicking the ball away. Replays indicated that the time between Oliver’s whistle and Trossard’s action was not much to warrant a red card, leading many to question the necessity of the booking. This decision reduced Arsenal to ten men, significantly impacting the tempo of the game and a match were Arsenal seemed destined to get all three points ended up sharing the spoils in a 2-all draw.
Handling of the Merseyside Derby Post-Match Altercations
Coming back to the Merseyside altercation which is the most recent of his controversial officiating. Beyond the in-game controversies of the Merseyside Derby, Oliver’s management of the post-match incidents drew criticism. The altercation between players and staff from both teams led to multiple red cards. Critics and fans argued that Oliver’s failure to maintain control during the match contributed to the tensions boiling over, suggesting a lack of authority and effective game management.
Accusations of Arrogance and Declining Performance
Keith Hackett, former head of PGMOL, has publicly criticized Oliver, stating that he has observed “a little bit of arrogance” in his recent performances. Hackett emphasized that Oliver’s decision-making has been below average, urging that he “needs some coaching advice going into the final months of the season.” Such remarks from a former officiating chief highlight concerns about Oliver’s current form and approach to refereeing.
Conclusion
I conclusion, I cannot affirm that Michael Oliver is a weak, inexperienced or unqualified referee to officiate Premier League fixtures especially the big and most crucial matches but at a point in each referee career, there is bound to be difficult moments which I can confidently say is what Oliver is facing currently. However, Oliver’s 2024/2025 Premier League season has been marred by several high-profile controversies, that seems to appear consistently.
These incidents have not only affected the outcomes of crucial matches but have also led to broader discussions about officiating standards in the league. As the season progresses, it remains imperative for Oliver to reflect on these episodes and strive for the consistency and fairness that once defined his refereeing career.
