What Really Occurred
- Michael Oliver was removed from officiating duties in the Premier League for one weekend following his controversial handling of an FA Cup fifth-round match between Crystal Palace and Millwall. In that incident, he failed to immediately issue a red card to Millwall goalkeeper Liam Roberts after a dangerous kick to Crystal Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta’s head. Mateta ended up needing 25 stitches for the injury , This separation from Premier League assignments also extended to not being appointed as fourth official or VAR for that weekend.
- Despite the backlash, Oliver was still appointed to a Champions League match shortly after—specifically, the tie between Bayern Munich and Bayer Leverkus.
So, What Was the Reality?
| Claim | Reality |
|---|---|
| “Suspended for six months” | False. Only removed from one weekend of Premier League duties. |
| Entire VAR team suspended | No evidence. Only Oliver was omitted for the weekend. |
| Incident was a “Palace free kick goal” | Mischaracterized. The controversy was a reckless challenge—not a free kick—during Crystal Palace vs. Millwall in the FA Cup. |
Why the Discrepancy?
This appears to be a false or exaggerated report, possibly through misinformation or misinterpretation. In reality, Michael Oliver received brief non-appointment for a weekend, not a long-term suspension. And it certainly didn’t involve ChelseavCrystal Palace or a free kick goal.
Let me know if you’d like further details on the actual incident, VAR protocols, or any other match controversies — I’m happy to help clarify!
