Michael Oliver was part of the team that took charge of the Manchester derby on Sunday that resulted in Pro Ref having to apologise to Manchester United
Premier League referee Michael Oliver
Premier League referee Michael Oliver(Image: (Marc Atkins/Getty Images))
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Michael Oliver will take charge of Liverpool’s clash against Bournemouth after Pro Ref decided against dropping him for this weekend’s game following the Manchester derby. But the Video Assistant Referee who made an 'error of judgement' in awarding a goal to Manchester City in Sunday’s derby has been stood down until after the international break.
Matt Donohue, along with assistant Blake Antrobus, awarded Erling Haaland’s second-half goal despite Enzo Fernandez being in an offside position. Howard Webb, the chief refereeing officer for Pro Ref, and his management team decided on Monday to stand both Donohue and Antrobus down for this weekend's games.
However, Oliver and assistants Stuart Burt and Tim Wood, who disallowed Haaland’s goal on the field before VAR intervened, will all officiate as normal, with Oliver set to take charge of the Reds’ game against the Cherries at the Vitality Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
He will be assisted by Stuart Burt and James Mainwarings, with Simon Hooper as the fourth official. Craig Pawson is on VAR duty, assisted by Lee Betts.
United received a formal apology on Sunday from Pro Ref (formerly Professional Game Match Officials Ltd).
Standing down Donohue and Antrobus means they will not officiate a top-flight match until October 10 at the earliest, as an international break follows this weekend’s fixtures.
Oliver has history with Liverpool after former Anfield boss Arne Slot told him he would blame him if his side failed to win the Premier League back in 2024.
Arne Slot, manager of Liverpool, is shown a red card by referee Michael Oliver at the end of the Premier League match between Everton FC and Liverpool FC at Goodison Park. Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images
Arne Slot is shown a red card by referee Michael Oliver at the end of the Premier League match between Everton and Liverpool at Goodison Park.
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The Dutchman received a straight red card after confronting Oliver and one of his assistant referees on the pitch following Liverpool's 2-2 Merseyside derby draw with Everton at Goodison Park in March 2025.
Slot was given a two-match ban and fined £70,000 by an independent Football Association commission after accepting a charge of acting in an improper manner and using insulting and/or abusive words and/or behaviour towards both the match referee and an assistant referee.
The Reds have won just one of their last seven matches that Oliver has taken charge of, with that win coming against Burnley at Turf Moor last season.