The Premier League have made a huge decision on Michael Oliver’s involvement in gameweek 26.
Oliver, 39, is widely considered to be one the Premier League’s best referees, but he had a tough evening during and after last week’s final Merseyside derby at Goodison Park.
Everton captain James Tarkowski scored a 98th-minute equaliser to the delight of the Toffees’ supporters inside the stadium.
And no one could predict what followed. Shortly after the goal, Everton midfielder Abdoulaye Doucoure appeared to taunt the Liverpool supporters gathered in the Bullens Road end of the ground.
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Reds midfielder Curtis Jones was not best pleased and ran over before he confronted the Mali international.
The pair became embroiled in a tussle and were both shown second yellow cards by referee Oliver.
But the drama did not stop there, as Liverpool head coach Arne Slot and assistant Sipke Hulshoff were shown red cards following a heated exchange with Oliver and his officials after the final whistle.
Slot, 46, and Hulshoff, 50, have since been charged by the Football Association (FA), and both have until Wednesday, 19 February, to respond.
But what next for Oliver? Well, last weekend, he was taken out of the firing line and used as a video assistant referee (VAR) during Chelsea’s 3-0 defeat against Brighton at the Amex on Friday before undertaking the same role during Aston Villa’s 1-1 draw against Ipswich Town at Villa Park the following day.
He will return to the pitch on Wednesday evening as UEFA announced he will be the referee for the all-French clash between Paris Saint-Germain and Brest in the second leg of the Champions League play-off at the Parc des Princes.
Will he return to Premier League action this weekend?
Yes, the league announced the officiating line-ups for gameweek 26 on their official website on Tuesday morning.
Oliver, assisted by Stuart Burt, James Mainwaring and fourth official Dean Whitestone, will referee the Saturday evening match between Villa and Chelsea at Villa Park.
With fixtures coming thick and fast in the top flight, the league announced the officials for gameweek 27, which is set to take place between February 25 and 27.
The 39-year-old will take charge of Brighton’s clash with Bournemouth at the Amex.
Topics: Premier League, Michael Oliver, Everton, Liverpool, Chelsea, Aston Villa, Champions League
Luke Davies