Michael Oliver WILL referee in the Premier League this weekend after controversial Myles Lewis-Skelly red card saw official hit with sickening death threats
Michael Oliver WILL referee in the Premier League this weekend after controversial Myles Lewis-Skelly red card saw official hit with sickening death threats
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Referee Michael Oliver will officiate a Premier League game this weekend despite facing death threats and 'abhorrent' abuse after controversially sending off Arsenal defender Myles Lewis-Skelly, it has been confirmed. Oliver, 39, and his family were subjected to threats in the wake of last Saturday's match at Wolves and the police have launched an investigation, with the unit leading the probe already in communication with social media companies.
![[Oliver controversially sent off Arsenal's Myles Lewis-Skelly during their 1-0 win at Wolves]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/28/09/94588977-0-image-a-14_1738058286522.jpg)
The Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL), the body responsible for officiating in England, said it involved the police after Oliver, his partner and their young child were targeted by sickening abuse from anonymous online trolls. Keith Hackett, the former PGMOL head, suggested that Oliver should be stood down. '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,' he told talkSPORT.
![[The official and his family have since been subjected to vile threats from anonymous trolls]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/28/10/94589379-14332989-image-a-34_1738058910972.jpg)
But Oliver is said to have told his PGMOL and UEFA bosses that he wanted to carry on and he will take charge of Ipswich v Southampton on Saturday afternoon. He has also been given the rescheduled Merseyside derby fixture at Goodison Park on February 12, the first game having been postponed due to Storm Darragh.
![[Teenager Lewis-Skelly was shown a straight red card for this challenge on Matt Doherty]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/28/09/94588973-0-image-a-16_1738058299553.jpg)
Michael Oliver will referee a Premier League game this weekend despite facing death threats. Oliver controversially sent off Arsenal's Myles Lewis-Skelly during their 1-0 win at Wolves. The official and his family have since been subjected to vile threats from anonymous trolls.
![[Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta said he was 'fuming' and expected the decision to be overturned]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/28/09/94589017-0-image-a-17_1738058330477.jpg)
