Referee Michael Oliver will not officiate any Premier League matches this weekend following his controversial handling of an incident during the recent FA Cup match between Crystal Palace and Millwall.
In the opening minutes of the game at Selhurst Park, Millwall goalkeeper Liam Roberts executed a high challenge on Crystal Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta, resulting in a severe injury.
Initially, Oliver did not penalize Roberts, but after a VAR review, he issued a red card.
Mateta, who is of DR Congo descent, suffered a serious laceration to his left ear, requiring 25 stitches.
He received approximately ten minutes of medical attention on the field before being transported to St George’s Hospital.
Following treatment, Mateta was discharged and is currently recuperating. Expressing his gratitude, Mateta shared on social media, “I’m doing well. I hope to be back soon and stronger than ever.”
Crystal Palace chairman Steve Parish condemned the challenge, describing it as “the most reckless” he has ever witnessed.
He emphasized the potential danger of such actions, stating, “If you’re kicking him in the head at full force, who knows what kind of damage could be done.”
In light of the incident, Oliver’s absence from Premier League fixtures this weekend has raised questions.
While the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) maintains that referee rotations are standard practice, some speculate that this decision is a direct response to the oversight during the FA Cup match.
Despite his domestic hiatus, Oliver is slated to officiate the upcoming Champions League match between Bayern Munich and Bayer Leverkusen.
