Michael Oliver handed huge Premier League title clash after Arsenal controversy as referee’s next games are revealed
Michael Oliver handed huge Premier League title clash after Arsenal controversy as referee’s next games are revealed
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MICHAEL OLIVER will referee a Premier League game this Saturday and a huge title clash next month. The official is at the centre of huge controversy for sending off Arsenal star Myles Lewis-Skelly in a decision that has been slammed by fans and pundits.
![[Referee Michael Oliver at a Premier League match.]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/2025-referee-michael-oliver-premier-966791493_256e56.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
But he will be back on the field this weekend for the clash between Ipswich and Southampton. And the 39-year-old ref will have the whistle for the Merseyside derby on February 12 as Everton welcome Liverpool to Goodison Park. The fixture has been re-arranged from December 7 after it was postponed due to Storm Darragh.
Liverpool currently sit six points above Arsenal at the top of the table and the derby is their game in-hand over the Gunners. Oliver was the subject of fierce criticism for red carding Lewis-Skelly against Wolves for a foul on Matt Doherty. The wonderkid cynically fouled the defender as he broke away on the counter-attack, with most expecting a yellow to be shown.
But Oliver shockingly brandished a red for serious foul play and the decision was not overturned by VAR. Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta said he was "fuming" over the sending off and club icon Ian Wright slammed it as a "joke". BBC pundit Pat Nevin hit out at the standard of officiating, claiming it set a "bar so low even a limbo dancing snake couldn’t get under it".
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