Michael Oliver should be DROPPED for sending off Arsenal’s Lewis-Skelly in ‘major error’, slams former referees’ chief
Michael Oliver should be DROPPED for sending off Arsenal’s Lewis-Skelly in ‘major error’, slams former referees’ chief
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MICHAEL OLIVER should be DROPPED by the Premier League after his "major error" in sending off Myles Lewis-Skelly. That's the opinion of former head of the PGMOL Keith Hackett after Oliver's card-happy performance in Arsenal's 1-0 win over Wolves. Oliver controversially sent off Gunners' teenager Lewis-Skelly during the first half at Molineux on Saturday.
![[Soccer player receiving a red card.]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/myles-lewis-skelly-arsenal-reacts-966568171_473e00.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
The full-back, 18, was given his marching orders for a challenge made on Matt Doherty just before the break. Lewis-Skelly brought down Doherty as Wolves tried to counter, resulting in Oliver dishing out a straight red. VAR upheld the decision, leaving Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta "absolutely fuming.".
![[Soccer game in progress, players in motion.]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/vlcsnap-2025-01-25-15h43m10s591.webp?strip=all&w=960)
Hackett believes the decision was a "major error" by both Oliver and Darren England on the VAR. And he called for the Premier League to stand down the experienced whistler. Speaking on TalkSPORT's Sunday Edition with Shaun Custis and Henry Winter, Hackett said: "I'd be admitting this morning that this is a major error, that you don't expect the alleged number one referee to make.
![[Referee putting red and yellow cards in his pocket.]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/referee-michael-oliver-looks-whilst-966583507.jpg?strip=all&w=840)
"He's on top of the incident. I think he's too close and so I think he requires operational advice. FOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS. "I'd be saying to Michael Oliver, I think you need a rest and I think you're not going to see another game in the Premier League for a couple of weeks.".
![[Portrait of Keith Hackett, a former football referee.]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/NINTCHDBPICT000711050382.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
