Michael Oliver is banned from officiating two clubs amid Liverpool VAR controversy

November 11, 2025 Oliver Obel

The 40-year-old referee, who has taken charge of more than 400 Premier League matches, was tasked with overseeing video reviews during the high-profile fixture. Liverpool supporters voiced frustration over the first-half incident in which Virgil van Dijk’s header was ruled out following a VAR check that determined Andy Robertson was offside and had interfered with play.

Robertson, standing near the goalkeeper, appeared to duck out of the way as Van Dijk’s header went past, but match officials concluded his position obstructed the keeper’s view.

According to a statement from the Premier League, VAR “confirmed the on-field decision of offside and no goal to Liverpool,” as Robertson was judged to be in an offside position and “making an obvious action directly in front of the goalkeeper.”

Liverpool’s reaction

Manager Arne Slot expressed his disappointment after the match, calling the ruling “a clear mistake.” Speaking to reporters, he said, “It was obvious and clear that the wrong decision has been made. He didn’t interfere at all with what the goalkeeper could do.”

The disallowed goal prevented Liverpool from equalising early in the game. Manchester City capitalised on the momentum shift to secure a dominant 3–0 victory — a result that reignited debate about VAR’s consistency in key Premier League matches this season.

Oliver’s officiating restrictions

Away from the latest controversy, discussion resurfaced about the two clubs Oliver is not permitted to officiate. A lifelong Newcastle United fan, he is prohibited from refereeing matches involving his boyhood club — or their fierce rivals Sunderland — to avoid any perception of bias.

In a previous interview with The Daily Mail, Oliver explained:

“We have to declare if we have an allegiance to any club or if a family member works at a club. You can’t do any match involving that team, and I can’t do Sunderland either, for obvious reasons.”

He added that he would also decline to officiate fixtures that might indirectly affect Newcastle’s position in the league. “If Newcastle needed a point to stay up and the team they were fighting with was, say, Aston Villa, I couldn’t referee Villa’s game either. It’s just not worth the hassle,” he said.

How referees are assigned

Keith Hackett, former head of the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL), has previously outlined the process behind referee assignments to ensure neutrality across the league.

“At the beginning of every season, referees’ background information is reviewed,” Hackett explained. “They complete a form declaring who they support, their playing history, and where they live. That information helps ensure appointments are fair and transparent.”

He noted that the system aims to prevent conflicts of interest: “For example, you wouldn’t assign a Sheffield-based referee to a Sheffield team. It’s about protecting the integrity of the competition.”

A familiar flashpoint

This latest incident adds to growing tension around VAR decisions in high-stakes Premier League matches. Liverpool fans have been especially vocal this season, arguing that inconsistencies in officiating have cost the team crucial points.

While Oliver remains one of England’s most respected referees, the ongoing scrutiny highlights how VAR — designed to eliminate controversy — continues to provoke it instead.

Sources: Premier League, BBC Sport, Daily Mail, PGMOL