MICHAEL OLIVER will make an immediate return to action despite receiving death threats following his decision to send off Arsenal’s Myles Lewis-Skelly.
The 39-year-old official has been appointed to referee Barcelona’s Champions League group game against Atalanta on Wednesday, and is expected to resume Premier League duty this weekend.
GettyMichael Oliver will make an immediate return to action despite receiving death threats[/caption]
Oliver’s family have been targets of sick abuse that are being investigated by the police, which led former PGMOL chief Keith Hackett to suggest he should be taken out of the firing line.
Oliver has told Uefa and PGMOL bosses that he wants to carry on however, with both backing his judgement.
PGMOL will announce the refereeing appointments for this weekend’s Premier League matches on Tuesday.
Oliver held talks with current PGMOL boss Howard Webb on Monday, with the refs’ chief reaffirming their support.
The police investigation into the death threats made against Oliver was stepped up yesterday with the case handed to specialist officers at the UK Football Policing Unit.
UKFPU officers are working with social media companies to track down the individuals who sent vile abuse, with the police determined to prosecute.
“If people think they can hide behind their keyboards, they are mistaken,” said UKFPU chief, Mark Roberts. “And we will pursue offenders abroad too, with the assistance of overseas forces.”
Oliver was targeted after his decision to send off Lewis-Skelly in the first half of Arsenal’s 1-0 win at Wolves on Saturday.
“Officers from the UKFPU have launched an investigation after a number of abusive messages were directed toward a referee following a Premier League match,” UKFPU said in a statement yesterday.
“On Sunday January 26 police were contacted by the UK Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) in relation to social media messages directed towards referee Michael Oliver.
“Enquiries are in the early stages and officers are working closely with social media providers, including Facebook and X, to identify those responsible for the messages.”
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