Police open investigations as ref Michael Oliver subjected to ‘abhorrent attacks’ after controversial Arsenal red card
POLICE have opened an investigation after referee Michael Oliver was subjected to “abhorrent attacks”.
The official sent off Arsenal star Myles Lewis-Skelly during the Gunners’ 1-0 win against Wolves.
The decision was deemed as controversial and was not changed by VAR.
The defender, 18, tripped Matt Doherty as he looked to break away.
Replays showed that the Arsenal star’s studs caught the Wolves player.
The Premier League confirmed that VAR supported the decision as Lewis-Skelly was guilty of “serious foul play”.
The PGMOL have now released a statement confirming that the police have opened an investigation into abuse targeting the referee.
It read: “We are appalled by the threats and abuse directed at Michael Oliver following the Wolverhampton Wanderers v Arsenal fixture.
“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.
MARK HALSEY: Questions have to be asked of VAR after Lewis-Skelly sending off... here's what SHOULD have happened
By Mark Halsey
VAR Darren England should have recommended a review as soon as referee Michael Oliver showed Arsenal’s Myles Lewis-Skelly a straight red card for his challenge on Wolves’ Matt Doherty.
An official has to decide whether the challenge was careless or reckless — careless is a free-kick only, reckless is a yellow card — or worthy of a red card.
When a player lunges at an opponent with one or two feet from the front, the side or from the back which endangers the player’s safety with excess force or/and brutality, it must be sanctioned with a red.
I saw it as a reckless challenge worthy of a yellow, not a red.
So why did Darren not recommend a review? Once the red card was shown, the VAR should have intervened.
If Michael had the opportunity to view the challenge again, I’m sure he would have changed his mind, cancelled the red card and issued a yellow.
As for Arsenal fans’ views that Michael is biased against them, I’m not buying into that. You can never question the integrity of a match official and Michael is one of our best referees.
Officials cannot get everything right and that is why we have VAR to help. So questions have to be asked of Darren.
With the second yellow for Joao Gomes after catching Jurrien Timber on the ankle, you could argue that was a worse challenge than the Lewis-Skelly one
“We will continue to support all investigations.”
Former Tottenham player Jamie Redknapp hit out at the abuse sent to Oliver.
Speaking on Sky Sports, he said: “It is absolutely disgraceful.
“We are getting to the point now with referees where if you are right, you’re right and if you are wrong you are corrupt.
“If we get to that point we won’t have any young referees wanting to work in the game.
“Michael Oliver is by far the best referee we have I don’t think it is close.
“Everyone makes mistakes, they are honest mistakes, we can probably count on one hand how many he has made in his career.
“If I was to play one more match in my life he would be the referee I would want to do it.
“I hope whoever is giving this abuse is found out.”
Meanwhile, former head of the PGMOL Keith Hackett believes Oliver should be dropped following the red card.
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta was fuming with the decision as he spoke to the media after the match.
He said: “It is that clear that I leave it to you guys. I am absolutely fuming but I leave it with you – because it is that obvious. I don’t think my words are going to help.
“I think it is obvious that we don’t need any comments today, and hopefully, the right thing will happen after today.
“Hopefully, we don’t need to (appeal) and, if we have [to], it happened and it’s a really good precedent what happened with Bruno this season as well.
“So, hopefully, okay we were in a position we shouldn’t be in.
“At least, let’s be in a position that we should be in for the next few weeks and allow that player to continue to do his job.”
The manager could even be seen giving Oliver a death stare at full-time.
Arsenal legend Ian Wright hits out at Myles Lewis Skelly red card decision
IAN WRIGHT has joined the long-list of former professionals and pundits to be left reeling by the decision to send off Arsenal youngster Myles Lewis-Skelly on Saturday.
The cynical challenge left most fans expecting a yellow card, but the Hale End graduate was shown red by referee Michael Oliver instead.
Leandro Trossard, Kai Havertz and Gabriel Magalhaes led the on-field protests as Arsenal’s players showed their frustration at the decision.
And now Gunners icon Ian Wright has weighed in on the incident, claiming that it’s “never a red”.
In a video posted on social media by the former Premier Legue bagsman, he fumed: “It’s a joke!
“Anyone that has ever played the game, and I’m not even talking Premier League, I’m talking five-a-side, Sunday league, knows that it’s never a red.
“Yellow card, nobody says a word. Time and time again, this level of refereeing [and] the decisions in the Premier League… the inconsistency, the excuses, the apologies.
“All of them are just the centre of attention for me. We can’t criticise too hard because, where are the refs going to come from? Where are we going to get them?
“But I’m sorry, this is the highest level of football and we do not have the highest level of referees. When will the Premier League bring the best refs into the so called ‘best league in the world’?
“Because at the moment, with this level of refereeing, we’re nowhere near it. Nowhere near it.”