Wednesday , 5 March 2025

Referee Michael Oliver will not be officiating a Premier League match this weekend following his controversial decision in the FA Cup fifth-round tie between Crystal Palace and Millwall.

During the game, Michael Oliver failed to stop play after Crystal Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta was kicked in the head and suffered a serious injury.

Despite being asked to review the incident using the VAR pitchside monitor, Oliver only gave a straight red card to Millwall goalkeeper Liam Roberts.

Mateta had to be stretchered off the field and received 25 stitches for a severe laceration to his left ear at St George’s Hospital.

Former Premier League referee Keith Hackett criticized Oliver’s handling of the situation.

Hackett said: “What an appalling challenge, and I have to ask the question—why did one of the world’s top referees fail to immediately show a red card?

“It is, frankly, an absolute no-brainer.”

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