Michael Oliver to referee Ipswich v Southampton in Premier League this weekend
2025-01-28
Category: sports

Referee Michael Oliver is to take charge of Ipswich's Premier League match against Southampton on Saturday, just days after he received "threats and abuse" following Arsenal's game against Wolves.Police are investigating the abuse suffered by Oliver after he sent off Arsenal's Myles Lewis-Skelly for a foul just outside the Wolves penalty area.Oliver's appointment to the game at Portman Road means he will not officiate Sunday's match between Arsenal and Manchester City, with Peter Bankes taking charge at Emirates Stadium.Oliver has also been appointed to the Merseyside derby between Everton and Liverpool at Goodison Park on 5 February.Referees' body PGMOL and the Premier League both condemned the abuse directed towards the official following Saturday's game at Molineux and would support any investigations.Oliver also dismissed Wolves midfielder Joao Gomes later in the match for a second yellow card, before Riccardo Calafiori scored Arsenal's winner.Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta disagreed with Lewis-Skelly's red card and told BBC Match of the Day the decision was "so obvious that today you don't need my words".The decision was also criticised by former officials and pundits.