Michael Oliver is currently banned from officiating two clubs amid controversy over his performance in the Merseyside derby between Everton and Liverpool on Tuesday.
Oliver came under fire from Liverpool supporters for a series of decisions during the 2-2 draw, with fans arguing that he should have awarded a foul on Mohamed Salah before James Tarkowski’s dramatic injury-time winner.
There were also grievances over the awarding of the free-kick prior to Everton’s first goal, while some Toffees fans believed they should have been given a penalty for a contentious handball by Ibrahima Konate.
Oliver then sent off Abdoulaye Doucoure and Curtis Jones after the full-time whistle after they incited a mass brawl, while Liverpool manager Arne Slot and assistant Sipke Hulshoff were also shown red cards.
The Northumberland-born official will be on VAR duty for Brighton’s Premier League clash at home to Chelsea on Monday night, which was announced as part of the PGMOL’s latest official appointments.
It is unclear when Oliver will next be appointed to a match involving Liverpool.
There is, however, one Premier League team that he is banned from officiating.
Oliver is a lifelong Newcastle United supporter and cannot officiate any matches in which the Magpies are playing in. He was also on the books at St James’ Park at junior level, revealing in 2019 that he ‘had a bit of talent … but I didn’t like putting the hard work in as a player’.
As a result of his support of Newcastle, Oliver also cannot officiate any matches in which Sunderland are playing in.
The Black Cats are currently in the Championship but are having an impressive season under new manager Regis Le Bris and currently sit in fourth place – meaning it is not out of the question that the Tyne & Wear Derby could return to the Premier League fixture schedule next season.
Oliver once told the Daily Mail: “We have to declare if we have an allegiance to any club or if a family member works at a club.
“You can’t do any match involving that team, and I can’t do Sunderland, either, for obvious reasons.”
