Michael Oliver absent as Premier League name referees for this weekend’s fixtures
The Premier League have given Michael Oliver a gameweek off refereeing, using him as VAR instead, as they confirm their appointments for the weekend with Rob Jones taking charge of Manchester United’s trip to Aston Villa
Michael Oliver is without a refereeing gig this weekend – instead taking on VAR duties – as the Premier League confirms its line-up of officials.
Oliver, widely regarded as the best referee in the country, hasn’t been given a game as a referee for the upcoming weekend having taken charge of Bournemouth’s win over Southampton on Monday night. His duties see him as the VAR for Brentford’s clash with Wolves.
Less than a fortnight ago and Oliver found himself in charge of a heated encounter between Manchester City and Arsenal – which ended all square. He opted to send off Leandro Trossard with his second yellow coming after he delayed the restart – something the PGMOL are keen to crack down on this season.
Often it has been Oliver and Anthony Taylor who have taken charge of the biggest games in English football, but there is an increased desire to share the load. It is standard procedure for the PGMOL to rotate their personnel and Oliver’s duties this week are nothing out of the ordinary.
PGMOL chief Howard Webb is also using a smaller pool of referees as VARs with Oliver seen as a specialist as a second pair of eyes at Stockley Park as well as a referee.
Mirror.co.uk reports that Rob Jones has been assigned to Aston Villa’s game with Manchester United – the biggest contest of the weekend. He also took charge of their epic FA Cup semi-final against Coventry last year – awarding the Sky Blues a stoppage time penalty. Taylor has been given a game and will referee Ipswich’s trip to West Ham. Liverpool’s contest at Crystal Palace will be officiated by Simon Hooper.
Premier League refereeing appointments
Saturday October 5 – Crystal Palace v Liverpool
Referee: Simon Hooper.
Assistants: Adrian Holmes, Simon Long.
Fourth official: Leigh Doughty.
VAR: David Coote.
Assistant VAR: Natalie Aspinall.
Saturday October 5 – Arsenal v Southampton
Referee: Tony Harrington.
Assistants: Darren Cann, Derek Eaton.
Fourth official: Josh Smith.
VAR: Michael Salisbury.
Assistant VAR: Ian Hussain.
Saturday October 5 – Brentford v Wolves
Referee: Andy Madley.
Assistants: Nick Hopton, Wade Smith.
Fourth official: James Bell.
VAR: Michael Oliver.
Assistant VAR: Stuart Burt.
Saturday October 5 – Leicester v Bournemouth
Referee: Darren Bond.
Assistants: Constantine Hatzidakis, Matthew Wilkes.
Fourth official: Robert Jones.
VAR: Stuart Attwell.
Assistant VAR: Dan Cook.
Saturday October 5 – Man City v Fulham
Referee: Peter Bankes.
Assistants: Eddie Smart, Nick Greenhalgh.
Fourth official: Oliver Langford.
VAR: Graham Scott.
Assistant VAR: Sian Massey-Ellis.
Saturday October 5 – West Ham v Ipswich
Referee: Anthony Taylor.
Assistants: Gary Beswick, Adam Nunn.
Fourth official: Andrew Kitchen.
VAR: Darren England.
Assistant VAR: Scott Ledger.
Saturday October 5 – Everton v Newcastle
Referee: Craig Pawson.
Assistants: Marc Perry, Mark Scholes.
Fourth official: Tim Robinson.
VAR: Chris Kavanagh.
Assistant VAR: Harry Lennard.
Sunday October 6 – Aston Villa v Man Utd
Referee: Robert Jones.
Assistants: Neil Davies, Akil Howson.
Rob Jones will be in charge at Villa Park
Fourth official: Simon Hooper.
VAR: John Brooks.
Assistant VAR: Gary Beswick.
Sunday October 6 – Chelsea v Nottingham Forest
Referee: Chris Kavanagh.
Assistants: Lee Betts, James Mainwaring.
Fourth official: Tony Harrington.
VAR: Jarred Gillett.
Assistant VAR: Wade Smith.
Sunday October 6 – Brighton v Tottenham
Referee: David Coote.
Assistants: Timothy Wood, Craig Taylor.
Fourth official: Andy Madley.
