The world of English football has been rocked by a recent incident involving referee Michael Oliver, who has been subjected to threats and abuse following a controversial decision during Arsenal's 1-0 victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers. The police have launched investigations into the matter, which has sparked widespread criticism from pundits and supporters alike.
The controversy arose in the 43rd minute of the match when Oliver sent off Arsenal full-back Myles Lewis-Skelly for what was deemed a serious foul play challenge on Matt Doherty. This decision, supported by the Video Assistant Referee (VAR), led to an uproar among fans and critics.
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta expressed his frustration with the call, stating he was "absolutely fuming" about Lewis-Skelly's dismissal. This sentiment echoed across social media platforms as fans voiced their disapproval of Oliver's decision.
PGMOL responds to abuse against Michael Oliver
Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL), responsible for refereeing in English football, issued a statement revealing that Oliver had been subjected to attacks following his controversial call. They expressed their appallment at this behavior towards one of their officials.
PGMOL released statement:
"We are appalled by the threats and abuse directed at Michael Oliver following the Wolverhampton Wanderers v Arsenal fixture, No official should be subject to any form of abuse, let alone the abhorrent attacks aimed at Michael and his family over the past 24 hours.
"The police are aware, and a number of investigations have commenced. We are supporting Michael, and all those affected, and are determined to tackle this unacceptable behaviour. Sadly, this is not the first time a match official has been forced to deal with threats in recent times. We will continue to support all investigations."
In solidarity with PGMOL and Michael Oliver, The Premier League also shared a statement expressing support for the beleaguered referee.
Premier League released statement:
"The Premier League strongly condemns the threats and abuse directed at Michael Oliver, no official should be subject to any form of abuse. We will continue to support Michael, PGMOL and all investigations."
Threats against football officials
This is not an isolated incident in English football; it follows another disturbing event earlier this year when referee Mike Dean took temporary leave from his duties after reporting death threats against him to police. Dean’s ordeal came after he made a contentious decision to send off West Ham United midfielder Tomás Soucek during a match against Fulham.
These incidents highlight an alarming trend where referees are becoming targets of abuse due to their on-field decisions. It raises serious questions about the safety and respect for officials in the sport.
The abuse directed at Michael Oliver is a stark reminder of the pressures and potential dangers faced by referees in modern football. As investigations continue, it is hoped that this incident will lead to more robust measures to protect officials from such threats and ensure that they can perform their duties without fear of reprisal. The world of sports, especially football, should be a place where fair play extends beyond the pitch - encompassing not just players but also those who officiate them.
