Michael Oliver (referee)
Template:Infobox football official 2
Michael Oliver (born 20 February 1985[1]) is an English football referee who was promoted in 2010 to the Select Group of Referees who officiate in the Premier League. On 21 August 2010 he became the youngest referee to take charge of a Premier League game to add to a collection of "youngest ever" refereeing achievements.[2]
Early career
Michael Oliver was introduced to refereeing by his father, Clive at the age of 14 [3] Oliver junior quickly progressed through the ranks and was promoted to the National List of Referees in 2007 and refereed the 2007 Conference National play-off Final, becoming the youngest ever Wembley referee in the process. In addition he had already been the youngest ever Football League linesman, youngest ever Football League referee and would also become the youngest ever fourth official in the Premier League
The Oliver family enjoyed a unique refereeing double when dad Clive took charge of the 2009 Football League Two play-off Final and son Michael officiated the next day at the 2009 Football League One play-off Final.
Premier League career
Michael Oliver was set to become the youngest ever referee in the Premier League when he awarded the match between Fulham and Portsmouth on January 9, 2010.[4] However, bad weather resulted in him having to postpone the match and by the time it had been re-arranged he had undergone an ankle operation which kept him out of the game until April.[5]
His Premier League refereeing debut was therefore put on hold and after being promoted to the Select Group in August 2010, his first assignment was Birmingham City against Blackburn Rovers on 21 August 2010. Oliver was 25 years 182 days old and broke Stuart Attwell's record as the youngest ever Premier League referee. He describes his first Premier League match as 'a dream come true'.
Mr. Oliver took charge of West Bromwich Albion against Blackpool F.C. on 1 November 2010, where Mr. Oliver controversially sent off, Pablo Ibanez for a foul in the West Bromwich Albion penalty area. The red card was subsequently rescinded upon appeal to the Football Association.
References
- ^ Premie League wait a pain Northumberland journal]
- ^ Ashington Ref Michael Oliver Set To Take On Premier League Duties JournalLive
- ^ Refworld profile
- ^ Michael Oliver set to be youngest referee in Premier League history Mail Online
- ^ Michael Oliver set to make history guardian.co.uk