| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Born | 20 February 1985 Ashington, Northumberland, England |
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| 2003–2005 | Northern League | Referee | |
| 2005–2007 | Nationwide Conference | Referee | |
| 2007–2010 | The Football League | Referee | |
| 2010– | Premier League | Referee | |
Michael Oliver (born 20 February 1985[1]) is an English football referee who officiates in the Premier League since being promoted to the Select Group of Referees in 2010. Later that year he became the youngest-ever referee to take charge of a Premier League game.[2] He is based in Cramlington, Northumberland.
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Oliver was introduced to refereeing by his father, Clive, at the age of 14.[3] He 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 referee to officiate at Wembley Stadium. In addition he had already been the youngest-ever Football League assistant referee, 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 father Clive took charge of the 2009 League 2 play-off final and son Michael officiated the next day at the 2009 League 1 play-off final.
Oliver was set to become the youngest-ever referee in the Premier League when he was appointed to the match between Fulham and Portsmouth on 9 January 2010.[4] However, adverse weather resulted in him having to postpone the match and it was not re-arranged until after he had undergone an ankle operation which sidelined him 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 appointment was Birmingham City against Blackburn Rovers on 21 August. Oliver was 25 years and 182 days old, breaking Stuart Attwell's record as the youngest-ever Premier League referee.
Oliver received some criticism on 1 November 2010 after refereeing a Premier League fixture between Blackpool and West Bromwich Albion, during which he issued two red cards to West Brom players. The first, to Pablo Ibanez for a foul in his penalty area, was subsequently rescinded upon appeal to the FA.
On 13 November 2010, Oliver refereed a Championship match between Reading and Norwich City. Shortly before half-time, he showed a red card to Norwich striker Grant Holt for an apparent over-the-ball tackle on Ian Harte, with the score at 3–1 to the visitors. The match finished 3–3 with Norwich manager Paul Lambert being sent to the stands by Oliver for leaving his technical area. After the game, Lambert questioned Oliver's experience[6] and strongly criticised his decision to send Holt off,[7] while the opposition's manager Brian McDermott also criticised the decision. The red card was later rescinded by the FA,[8] but Lambert was charged with improper conduct for his comments.[9]
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