Jamie Redknapp defends Michael Oliver after Myles Lewis-Skelly’s red card in Arsenal win
Jamie Redknapp defends Michael Oliver after Myles Lewis-Skelly’s red card in Arsenal win
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Jamie Redknapp has condemned the ‘unacceptable’ and ‘disgraceful’ abuse directed at referee Michael Oliver following Myles Lewis-Skelly’s controversial sending off in Arsenal’s 1-0 win over Wolves. One of the major talking points of the weekend’s Premier League action took place in the closing stages of the first half at Molineux after an Arsenal corner was headed away to safety.
![[Wolverhampton Wanderers FC v Arsenal FC - Premier League]](https://metro.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/GettyImages-2195884542.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=646)
Matt Doherty picked up the ball and burst forward with pace, only to be hauled down by Lewis-Skelly, who was shown a straight red card – a decision which was upheld by video assistant referee Darren England. Given the position of the foul and the apparent innocuousness of the challenge, the call left many fans, pundits and ex-officials baffled, with former PGMOL boss Keith Hackett taking to social media to slam the ‘disastrous’ decision.
![[Wolverhampton Wanderers FC v Arsenal FC - Premier League]](https://metro.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/GettyImages-2195877554.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=646)
Sky Sports pundit Micah Richards, formerly of Manchester City and England, meanwhile, said that Lewis-Skelly’s sending off was the worst decision he had ever seen in the history of the Premier League. Some of the criticism Oliver has faced has undoubtedly crossed the line, though, and police have launched an investigation into ‘threats and abuse’ aimed at the 39-year-old online in the wake of Saturday’s contest.
![[West Ham United FC v Aston Villa FC - Premier League]](https://metro.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/GettyImages-2166391027.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=646)
According to BBC Sport, some of the messages have contained death threats, as well as sinister threats to make the official’s home address public. ‘It’s absolutely disgraceful. We’re getting to the point now with referees where if you’re right, you’re right and if you’re wrong, you’re corrupt,’ ex-Liverpool, Tottenham and England midfielder Redknapp said on Sky Sports.
