What is Michael Oliver (referee)?
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2021}} {{No sources|date=February 2025}} {{Infobox football official | name = Michael Oliver | image = Michael Oliver EM-Qualifikationsspiel Österreich-Russland 2014-11-15 013 (cropped).jpg | caption = Oliver in a match at [[Ernst Happel-Stadion|Vienna]] in 2014 | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1985|2|20|df=y}} | birth_place = [[Ashington]], [[Northumberland]], England | years1 = 2003–2005 | league1 = {{fbaicon|England}} [[Northern Premier League|Northern League]] | role1 = Referee | years2 = 2005–2007 | league2 = {{fbaicon|England}} [[National League (English football)|Football Conference]] | role2 = Referee | years3 = 2007— | league3 = [[The Football League]] | role3 = Referee | years4 = 2010– | league4 = [[Premier League]] | role4 = Referee | years5 = 2012— | league5 = [[FIFA International Referees List|FIFA listed]] | role5 = Referee | years6 = 2018— | league6 = [[UEFA]] Elite | role6 = Referee }} '''Michael Oliver''' (born 20 February 1985) is an [[English people|English]] professional [[Association football|football]] referee from [[Ashington]], [[Northumberland]]. His county FA is the [[Northumberland Football Association]]. He belongs to the Select Group of Referees in England and officiates primarily in the [[Premier League]]. He received his [[FIFA International Referees List|FIFA badge]] in 2012, allowing him to officiate in major international matches. Oliver was appointed to take charge of the final of the [[2015 FIFA U-17 World Cup]]. Oliver was promoted to the UEFA Elite Group of Referees in 2018. He is also a [[Newcastle United F.C.|Newcastle United]] supporter. ==Career== Born in [[Ashington]], [[Northumberland]], Oliver was introduced refereeing by his father, Clive, at the age of 14. He quickly progressed through the ranks and was promoted to the National List of Referees in 2007; he refereed the [[2007 Conference National play-off Final]], becoming the youngest football referee to officiate at [[Wembley Stadium]]. In addition he had already become the youngest [[