EPL: Referee Michael Oliver suspended after red card debacle

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EPL: Referee Michael Oliver suspended after red card debacle

Referee Michael Oliver has not been assigned a Premier League match this weekend.

Oliver last officiated the FA Cup fifth-round tie between Crystal Palace and Millwall.

He failed to stop play after Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta was kicked in the head and suffered an injury.

Oliver only showed a straight red card to Millwall goalkeeper Liam Roberts after being asked to review the incident on the VAR pitchside monitor.

Mateta was stretchered off the field after receiving lengthy treatment.

The 27-year-old was assessed for a head injury and required specialist care, receiving 25 stitches to patch up a severe laceration to his left ear at St George’s Hospital.

Former Premier League referee and PGMOL chief Keith Hackett criticized Oliver’s initial decision.

Hackett said: “What an appalling challenge, and I have to ask the question—why did one of the world’s top referees fail to immediately show a red card?

“It is, frankly, an absolute no-brainer.”