Michael Oliver’s Madrid return brings infamous Champions League penalty back into focus

Michael Oliver will referee Real Madrid’s Champions League meeting with Inter Milan at Santiago Bernabeu on Tuesday, with his appointment recalling one of the most controversial moments of the club’s recent European history.

The English official is regarded as one of the leading referees in Europe and will take charge of a Real Madrid match for the sixth time in continental competition. His record in the club’s previous five matches is strongly in their favour, with Real Madrid losing only once when Oliver has been the referee, according to Spanish newspaper Marca.

Oliver’s previous appointments involving the Spanish club include the 2-0 victory over Eintracht Frankfurt in the 2022 UEFA Super Cup. He also officiated Real Madrid’s 2-1 win away to Braga in the 2023-24 Champions League group stage and Olympiacos’ 3-4 defeat by Real Madrid in last season’s competition.

The only defeat in that record came when Real Madrid lost 2-1 to Bayern Munich in the quarter-finals of the 2025-26 Champions League season.

However, it is Oliver’s involvement in Real Madrid’s quarter-final second leg against Juventus in 2017-18 that remains most closely associated with the club.

The penalty that changed the tie

Real Madrid appeared to be heading out of the competition that night after Juventus moved 3-0 ahead in the second leg, leaving the tie on the brink of extra time. In the 93rd minute, Oliver awarded the home side a penalty after Medhi Benatia was judged to have fouled Lucas Vazquez.

The decision provoked intense debate, with Juventus furious at the referee’s call. Cristiano Ronaldo converted from the spot, sending Real Madrid through to the semi-finals.

Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon confronted Oliver immediately after the decision and was shown a red card. He later delivered a fierce criticism of the English referee in the mixed zone following the match.

The incident had further consequences. UEFA subsequently sanctioned Buffon, while Oliver became the target of an online harassment campaign that the governing body condemned. The abuse also affected his family, turning the episode into one of the most contentious and unforgettable chapters of Oliver’s refereeing career.

Now, as he prepares to oversee Real Madrid’s opening Champions League match against Inter Milan, Oliver returns to Santiago Bernabeu with a largely favourable record for the hosts but with the memory of that disputed penalty still central to his history with the club.