The police have launched investigations into “threats and abuse” aimed at referee Michael Oliver and his family after Myles Lewis-Skelly‘s controversial red card in Arsenal‘s 1-0 victory at Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday.
Oliver sent off Lewis-Skelly in the 43rd minute, with the Arsenal full-back deemed to have committed a serious foul play challenge on Matt Doherty.
The decision, which was supported by the VAR, received widespread criticism from pundits and supporters. Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta said he was “absolutely fuming” about Lewis-Skelly’s dismissal.
Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL), the body in charge of refereeing in English football, issued a statement on Sunday evening to reveal that Oliver had been subjected to attacks.
“We are appalled by the threats and abuse directed at Michael Oliver following the Wolverhampton Wanderers v Arsenal fixture,” PGMOL’s statement read. “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.”
Mike Dean took a step away from refereeing for a short period in 2021 after reporting death threats to the police. It came after a controversial decision to send off West Ham United midfielder Tomás Soucek against Fulham.
The Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) has expressed their dismay and shock at the abuse directed towards referee Michael Oliver following his decision to send off Arsenal player Granit Xhaka in a recent match.
In a statement released by PGMOL, they condemned the abusive language and threats aimed at Oliver, stating that such behavior is completely unacceptable and has no place in football. They emphasized the importance of respecting match officials and their decisions, regardless of whether fans agree with them.
The incident has sparked a debate about the treatment of referees in football, with many calling for harsher punishments for those who engage in abusive behavior. PGMOL has vowed to work with clubs, players, and fans to ensure that referees are treated with the respect they deserve.
This incident serves as a reminder of the challenges faced by match officials in the modern game, and the need for greater support and protection for referees. PGMOL has called on all stakeholders in football to come together to address this issue and create a safe and respectful environment for everyone involved in the game.
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- PGMOL
- Michael Oliver
- Arsenal
- Red card
- Abuse
- Premier League
- Referee
- Football
- Controversy
- Professional Game Match Officials Limited
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