Referee Michael Oliver has been at the centre of controversy for awarding a Bayern Munich penalty just weeks after a run-in with Liverpool boss Arne Slot.
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Referee Michael Oliver looks on
Referee Michael Oliver has been criticised by former Arsenal midfielder Granit Xhaka
Referee Michael Oliver has been heavily criticised by Bayer Leverkusen's Granit Xhaka just a few weeks after his run-in with Arne Slot. The Liverpool boss let Oliver know exactly what he made of the official's decision to allow James Tarkowski's late leveller for Everton in February's Merseyside Derby.
The Dutchman was shown a red card after the final whistle at Goodison Park and eventually received a two-match ban. Slot's touchline ban will conclude in Saturday's fixture at home to Southampton.
And Oliver was at the centre of controversy in Germany after pointing to the spot after Edmond Tapsoba was seen grappling with England skipper Harry Kane during a corner. After a VAR review, Bayern were given a penalty, which Kane duly dispatched to put his side 3-0 up on the night.
Following Wednesday's Champions League last 16 encounter in Munich, Granit Xhaka has now voiced his criticism of the English official. The Swiss midfielder, who played for Arsenal from 2016 to 2023, believes that Oliver would not have made the same call in a domestic match.
"In the Premier League, he [Michael Oliver] doesn't give that," Xhaka told reporters after the game. "I spent seven years there and know Michael.
"I'm convinced he wouldn't whistle it in the Premier League. There are so many blocks in the Premier League that today it was nothing.
"It's a bit disappointing from him to whistle such a penalty at this level and probably decide the game. If you give a penalty for every block, there would be so many penalties every game"