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This weekend, Premier League referee Michael Oliver will be conspicuously absent from officiating duties.

This development follows a recent incident that has drawn significant attention.

During the FA Cup fifth-round match between Crystal Palace and Millwall, a serious event unfolded.

Millwall goalkeeper Liam Roberts executed a high challenge on Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta, resulting in Mateta being stretchered off and subsequently hospitalized.

The severity of the incident led to Roberts receiving a red card after a VAR review.

   

In the aftermath, Crystal Palace chairman Steve Parish expressed his dismay, stating, “I’ve never seen a challenge like it… that’s the most reckless challenge on a football pitch I’ve ever seen.”

He further questioned the necessity of the VAR intervention, adding, “And why the referee needs to go to the screen, I have no idea…”

“If you’re kicking him in the head at full force, who knows what kind of damage could be done.”  

Why Michael Oliver will not feature in the Premier League this weekend

As per The Athletic, The Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) has since confirmed that Oliver will not be officiating any Premier League matches this weekend.

While PGMOL maintains that referee rotations are routine, Oliver’s omission has fueled speculation about a possible link to the recent controversy.   

Despite his absence from domestic fixtures, Oliver is scheduled to referee the UEFA Champions League match between Bayern Munich and Bayer Leverkusen?

 

Liverpool supporters, in particular, have taken note of this development.

Oliver has previously overseen several high-stakes matches involving the Reds, and his temporary removal from Premier League duties has sparked discussions among fans regarding officiating standards and consistency.

As the weekend approaches, the focus shifts to how this decision will impact the officiating landscape in the Premier League and what it signifies for the future management of match officials.

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