Latest news with #MichaelOliver
Daily Mirror
22-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Arne Slot thanks ref Michael Oliver for his role in Liverpool title celebrations
Arne Slot was left fuming with Michael Oliver after Liverpool drew in the Merseyside derby but has now thanked the referee after the Reds were able to celebrate the Premier League title with their own fans Arne Slot has joked that he should thank Michael Oliver for allowing Liverpool to celebrate at Anfield with their own fans - which came about after they dropped two points late on at Everton. In the final Merseyside derby at Goodison Park, the Toffees equalised in the eighth minute of stoppage time before carnage began at full-time. It resulted in Oliver sending off Curtis Jones and Slot after the Dutchman had gone to air his anger over some of the referee's decisions. While frustrating at the time, the point, rather than three, ultimately meant that the Reds were able to win the title on their own terms at Anfield. Had they won then they may have been crowned champions without playing or potentially on the road. Slot was seething in the immediate aftermath of the Merseyside derby. It was alleged he said "I'll f***ing blame you" if the Reds missed out on the title and he was subsequently handed a touchline ban, but the Dutchman has now seen the lighter side after becoming a champion in his debut season. He told the Athletic: "There were a lot of things that were hard to take in that extra time. I am usually quite calm. But the whole situation meant it was not a place to be calm in. Their fans were very loud with it being the last derby at their stadium. In extra time, too, many things happened that were not OK. But we're all human beings, we all make mistakes. "We're talking about the foul on Mo, we're talking about the foul on Ibou (Konate), we're talking about the fourth official who tells me there are only 60 seconds to play after there was an injury for them where he then gave the ball to them when we had the ball. That meant they could put another long ball in. They scored after 80 seconds. I could feel that the referee was waiting for the moment when we would kick the ball away. "But after 60 seconds he should have blown the whistle. That was a bit too much, even for me! It felt at that moment in time like we had dropped two very important points. Looking back at it now, we have to thank Michael Oliver because that late goal meant we could win the title in our stadium." When Liverpool were held by Everton, it saw the gap at the top reduced to seven points with Arsenal still harbouring hopes of chasing down the Reds. That never materialised with Slot's side able to increase their lead as the Gunners continued to drop points. Liverpool made light work of Tottenham last month before iconic scenes began at Anfield. The Reds were unable to properly celebrate their Premier League triumph in 2020 due to the Covid lockdown but jubilant scenes went on after they were crowned champions this term.
Daily Mirror
16-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Premier League to make major rule change after finally following UEFA
Premier League referees will be able to book players who approach them without permission next season as part of new measures introduced to avoid confrontations in the top flight Premier League chiefs are set to make a major rule change that will mean only captains can approach referees starting next season, in a move that aligns the English top flight with UEFA. New guidelines from the International Football Association Board (IFAB) state that each team should only delegate one player to speak to an official during a match, with the captain the most obvious choice. It comes amid concern over abuse towards referees in recent seasons and now measures have been implemented that will give officials more power and protection. They can tell any player not to approach them and issue a yellow card to any player that does so without permission. If a goalkeeper is the captain of a team, clubs can nominate a secondary player to take on the responsibility of speaking to the match referee. The new regulation is already active in all three UEFA club competitions this term after first being introduced during Euro 2024 last summer. The rule change is set to be rubber-stamped at the Premier League's annual general meeting in June, ready to be officially brought in for the start of the 2025-26 season - though clubs are still being consulted at present. An IFAB statement read: "At this stage, they are not a compulsory part of the Laws of the Game, although Ifab strongly recommends their adoption at all levels following their successful implementation by Uefa and various national FAs and competitions. "Creating a captain-only zone will focus responsibility on the captain to encourage their team-mates to behave appropriately. The captain must take responsibility for helping ensure that their team-mates respect the captain-only zone." The organisation previously said the rule would "prevent major confrontations" and "create a secure and calm zone around the referee, thus lessening intimidation of officials during tense moments. In UEFA competitions, players have indicated the use of the guideline by extending one arm and showing the flat of their hand, but IFAB said there was no mandatory signal needed to implement the rule. "This signal may be adopted by other competitions, but currently there is no mandatory signal at the highest levels of the game, as different countries may have varying views on what signal best suits their football environment," an IFAB spokesman continued. There have already been trials to fit referees with bodycams in the event to ward off the threat of being approached by a player or a manager. Liverpool boss Arne Slot got himself into hot water this season after his X-rated rant at Michael Oliver following his side's 2-2 draw against Everton. The Dutchman said to the official: "If we don't win the league I'll f***ing blame you", and was subsequently banned for two matches. Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
New York Times
15-05-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
Premier League set to introduce rule allowing only captains to speak to referees
The Premier League is set to introduce the rule which only permits captains to talk to referees about key decisions ahead of the 2025-26 season. The rule was introduced by UEFA for the 2024 European Championship and has been utilised in UEFA competitions this season. Introducing the initiative ahead of Euro 2024, it was hoped it would breed 'trust' between players and officials and prevent referees from being 'mobbed'. Advertisement Captains were requested to ensure their team-mates did not encroach upon the referee to allow direct conversations to take place between the captain and official. Explaining the rule before last summer's Euros, UEFA managing director of refereeing Roberto Rosetti said: 'Explaining a decision with up to 22 players mobbing you is impossible for a referee. It can lead to a breakdown in communication, with the beautiful game turning very ugly very quickly, which, everyone agrees, is bad for the image of football.' The International Football Association Board (IFAB), the game's law makers, agreed to conclude trials of the rule in March. It will be included in the 2025-26 laws of the game as a new guideline 'for any competitions wishing to apply the principle of only the captain approaching the referee in specific situations'. Premier League referee Michael Oliver spoke positively about the rule ahead of Euro 2024. 'It will definitely help,' he said. 'A lot of the situations you see now are players and fans wanting answers and clarification. Having that link and that dialogue with a designated person can only help provide that.' PGMOL has introduced a number of new initiatives and technologies in recent seasons. Semi-automated offside technology (SAOT) was officially implemented in April after extensive trials, while in-stadium video assistant referee (VAR) announcements have been trialed in the Carabao Cup. 'Match Officials Mic'd Up', the television show which has released Premier League referee audio publicly for the first time, was also launched in a bid to improve transparency.
Yahoo
11-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Albion should have played against ten men says pundit after Wolves clash
Albion should have played most of their game at Wolves against ten men. That was the verdict of Shay Given as he offered analysis on BBC's Match Of The Day. The review of the Seagulls' 2-0 win focused mainly on two big refereeing decisions. Cunha escaped with a yellow card after bringing down Mats Wieffer as he bore down on goal. Danny Welbeck converted the resulting spot kick. Ex-goalkeeper Given said: 'Cunha has had a couple of suspensions this year and he is very lucky not to have a third one. 'For me, this is a red card. 'Wieffer is about to pull the trigger. 'The ball is a bit lower than where his contact is - his knee nearly. 'I think Michael Oliver should have sent him off. Cunha is very lucky.' BRIGHTON WIN TACTICAL BATTLE AT WOLVES Welbeck's penalty took him to ten goals in a Premier League season for the first time in his long career. He thought he had reached the landmark just before that when his contact was enough to guide Tariq Lamptey's deflected cross over the line. Yankuba Minteh was following in and was offside. Albion celebrations were in full swing by the time the flag went up. A long, frustrating and confusing hold-up eventually saw the goal ruled out for offside in consultation with video assistant James Bell. Ex-Swansea defender Ashley Williams said: 'As Danny Welbeck scores, he's not offside. 'Minteh coming in at the back stick IS offside as you can see and he impacts the ability of Semedo or Sa (to keep the ball out). 'If he's not there, can Semedo clear it? 'Probably yes, I think so.'
Yahoo
08-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Referee Istvan Kovacs Favourite To Officiate PSG Vs Inter Milan Champions League Final
Istvan Kovacs is the favourite to referee the upcoming Champions League final between PSG and Inter Milan.. This according to today's print edition of Milan-based newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport, via FCInterNews. They also report that Michael Oliver would be a candidate. Advertisement Inter Milan will take on Paris Saint-Germain in this season's Champions League final on May 31st. The two teams booked their place in the biggest match in European club football by overcoming Barcelona and Arsenal respectively in the semifinals. And the question of who will referee the match could prove to be a very big one. Istvan Kovacs Favourite To Referee PSG Vs Inter Milan Champions League Final NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 04: Referee Istvan Kovacs looks on during the UEFA Champions League match between Newcastle United FC and Paris Saint-Germain at St. James Park on October 04, 2023 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by) The Gazzetta note that there are a few referees currently considered to be at the absolute top of the European game. Among these are a couple of French officials. Clement Turpin refereed the first leg of Inter's semifinal tie against Barcelona. Then, Francois Letexier is also very highly-regarded. Advertisement Letexier would reportedly have been among the favourites to take charge of the Champions League final. However, with a French team in the final in the form of PSG, there would be no chance of seeing Letexier with the whistle. Therefore, the list of candidates has grown smaller. The Gazzetta name Premier League official Michael Oliver as one possibility. And then in addition, it could also be Slavko Vincic. However, the newspaper anticipate, the likeliest candidate comes from Romania. The Gazzetta report that favourite to take charge of the final is 41-year-old referee Istvan Kovacs.
