Premier League Ref Michael Oliver Suspended From Liverpool & Another Club After Controversial Calls
Premier League referee Michael Oliver is prohibited from officiating matches involving Newcastle United and Sunderland due to long-standing regulations designed to protect the integrity and neutrality of match officials.
Oliver, 40, is a lifelong supporter of Newcastle United and even played for the club at the youth level. Because of this allegiance, he is barred from presiding over any Newcastle fixture. In addition, he cannot officiate games involving their fierce rivals, Sunderland.
Explaining the rule in an earlier interview, Oliver said: “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.”
He added that his neutrality must extend even further in sensitive situations.
“If Newcastle needed a point to survive and the team they were fighting to stay above was, say, Villa, I couldn’t referee Villa’s game either. I wouldn’t want to. It’s not worth the hassle,” Oliver added.
Former PGMOL chief Keith Hackett has previously explained that every referee completes a detailed background audit at the start of each season, declaring club support, playing history and place of residence to guide future appointments.
Liverpool Controversy Rekindles Debate
Naija News reports that these restrictions resurfaced after Oliver found himself at the centre of another officiating storm, this time over Liverpool’s disallowed goal in Sunday’s Premier League clash with Manchester City.
Serving as VAR for the match, Oliver upheld the on-field decision to chalk off Virgil van Dijk’s first-half header.
The goal was cancelled after replays showed Andy Robertson in an offside position and allegedly interfering with play.
The Premier League later defended the call, saying: “The referee’s call of offside and no goal to Liverpool was checked and confirmed by VAR, with Robertson in an offside position and deemed to be making an obvious action directly in front of the goalkeeper.”
However, televised images showed Robertson with his back to goal and ducking out of the way as the ball flew past him.
Liverpool manager Arne Slot did not hide his frustration during his post-match briefing.
“It is obvious and clear that the wrong decision has been made,” he said.
“He didn’t interfere at all with what the goalkeeper could do.”
Liverpool went on to lose the match 3–0, intensifying criticism from fans who believe the team was denied a vital equaliser.
Naija News reports that Sunday’s incident is not Oliver’s first clash with Liverpool supporters.
Earlier in 2025, he drew backlash for key decisions in a 2–2 draw with Everton, including the dismissal of Slot and his assistant.
Combined with the restrictions on which clubs he can oversee, the renewed VAR controversy has thrust Oliver’s officiating credibility back into public debate.
With Premier League refereeing already under pressure for inconsistent VAR interpretations, Oliver’s latest flashpoint has again intensified calls for clearer guidelines and greater transparency in match officiating.