Michael Oliver’s family home being guarded by police after referee received death threats following Lewis-Skelly red
Michael Oliver’s family home being guarded by police after referee received death threats following Lewis-Skelly red
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MICHAEL OLIVER'S family home is being guarded by police, according to reports. The Premier League referee has been subjected to disgusting abuse and even received death threats in the wake of the red card he showed to Myles Lewis-Skelly. Oliver, 39, dismissed the Arsenal youngster for his cynical trip on Matt Doherty in the first half of the Gunners' 1-0 win away at Wolves on Saturday.
![[Michael Oliver has police protection after receiving death threats]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/arsenal-players-protest-referee-michael-967063193.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
He deemed the challenge as "serious foul play" - prompting a straight red and a three-match ban. The decision left Mikel Arteta "fuming" while the likes of Ian Wright, Pat Nevin, Keith Hackett and SunSport's Mark Halsey shared their dismay. Many supporters also vented their anger at the decision.
![[The referee sent Myles Lewis-Skelly off for this challenge on Matt Doherty]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/2025-red-card-myles-lewis-966655626_706bc9.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
But some of the reactions from fans were unacceptable as personal messages of hate and even sickening threats to kill Oliver and his two-year-old daughter. It is alleged one person vowed to smash the windows of their house - three weeks after an apparent threat to bomb Oliver's car, the Daily Mail reports.
![[Referee showing a red card to a soccer player.]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/referee-michael-oliver-shows-red-966572249.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
And now The Times state the referee is under ongoing police protection. A police car was parked in the street of the family home on Sunday morning to check on their safety. Police patrols continue to operate around the family home while the UK Football Policing Unit (UKFPU) are investigating the threats.
![[Arsenal players protesting a referee's decision.]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/kai-havertz-declan-rice-arsenal-966597614.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
The UKFPU is working with social media companies to track down the senders of the online messages. A spokesperson said on Monday: “Officers from the UKFPU have launched an investigation after a number of abusive messages were directed toward a referee following a Premier League match.
![[Mikel Arteta and Arsenal staff react to a player being sent off.]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/mikel-arteta-manager-arsenal-looks-966580725_dc92bf.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
