Michael Oliver Is Banned From Officiating Two Clubs Amid Liverpool VAR Controversy

Michael Oliver is currently banned from officiating two clubs amid controversy over his performance in Sunday's Premier League clash between Liverpool and Manchester City.

The 40-year-old referee, who is one of England's most experienced officials and has taken charge of more than 400 Premier League games, was on VAR duties for the game in Manchester.

Earlier this year, Oliver came under fire from Liverpool supporters for a series of decisions during a 2-2 draw against Everton, including the dismissals of Arne Slot and his assistant.

And on Sunday, he was criticised again after Virgil van Dijk's first-half header was controversially disallowed following a VAR review that adjudged Andy Robertson to be interfering with play.

Robertson, who was just in front of the line, had his back to goal and ducked out of the way of Van Dijk's effort.

An official statement from the Premier League read: "The referee’s call of offside and no goal to Liverpool was checked and confirmed by VAR – with Robertson in an offside position and deemed to be making an obvious action directly in front of the goalkeeper."

Robertson ducked out of the way of Van Dijk's header. Image credit: Getty

Speaking in his post-match interview, a frustrated Arne Slot claimed it was "obvious and clear that the wrong decision has been made" to disallow the goal, adding: "He didn't interfere at all with what the goalkeeper could do."

Liverpool were denied what they believed to be a legitimate equaliser before going on to lose the game 3-0.

Michael Oliver is banned from refereeing two teams 'for obvious reasons'

Oliver is a lifelong Newcastle United supporter and cannot officiate any matches they are involved in. He also played for the club at junior level, revealing in 2019 that he "had a bit of talent" but "didn't like putting the hard work in as a player".

As a result of supporting Newcastle, Oliver also cannot officiate any games involving local rivals Sunderland.

"We have to declare if we have an allegiance to any club or if a family member works at a club," he told the Daily Mail. "You can't do any match involving that team, and I can't do Sunderland, either, for obvious reasons."

Oliver added: "If Newcastle needed a point to survive and the team they were fighting to get above was, say, Villa, I couldn't referee Villa's game either. I wouldn't want to. It's not worth the hassle."

Michael Oliver is a Newcastle fan. Image credit: Getty

Keith Hackett, the former chief of the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL), has previously explained the procedure referees must follow.

"At the beginning of every season the referees' background information is audited," he said. "They complete a form that includes who they support, the history of if they've played the game and with the addresses where they are residing."

Hackett added: "That gives you a picture that comes into use when you're appointing. It's about ensuring, for example, you wouldn't appoint a Sheffield-based ref for a Sheffield team."