Police are investigating threats and abuse directed at referee Michael Oliver following Arsenal’s 1-0 victory over Wolves on Saturday.
The threats came after Oliver’s controversial decision to send off Arsenal’s Myles Lewis-Skelly for a challenge on Matt Doherty during the match.
The Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) has announced they are supporting Oliver and those affected while police conduct their investigations.
They confirmed Lewis-Skelly’s dismissal was for serious foul play, with VAR official Darren England reviewing the decision.
Police are investigating threats and abuse directed at referee Michael Oliver following Arsenal’s 1-0 victory over Wolves on Saturday
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The controversial incident has sparked significant backlash from the football community.
The PGMOL released a statement saying they were “appalled by the threats and abuse directed at Michael Oliver” following the fixture.
“No official should be subject to any form of abuse, let alone the abhorrent attacks aimed at Michael and his family over the past 24 hours,” the statement read.
The PGMOL expressed their determination to tackle what they described as “unacceptable behaviour.”
Michael Oliver has been targeted after sending off Myles Lewis-Skelly during Arsenal’s 1-0 win over Wolves on Saturday
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Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said he was “absolutely fuming” about Lewis-Skelly’s dismissal during his post-match comments.
“I am absolutely fuming,” Arteta stated. “But I will leave it with you, it is that obvious that I don’t think my words are going to help.”
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When questioned about a potential appeal, Arteta suggested the decision was so clearly wrong that an appeal might not even be necessary.
He added that Lewis-Skelly was worried about future implications, despite being happy with the team’s victory.
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This is not the first time Oliver has been at the centre of threats requiring police intervention.
In April 2018, police investigated threatening messages sent to Oliver’s wife Lucy after her phone number was posted on social media.
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta said he was ‘fuming’ following Michael Oliver’s decision to send off Myles Lewis-Skelly
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The previous incident occurred after the official awarded a last-minute penalty that saw Real Madrid knock Juventus out of the Champions League.
Arsenal are currently second in the Premier League table, six points behind rivals Liverpool – who have played one game less.