Michael Oliver banned from officiating two clubs following Liverpool VAR controversy

Virgil van Dijk’s goal was controversially ruled out on Sunday, adding to the scrutiny surrounding referee Michael Oliver.

The 40-year-old official, who served as VAR for Liverpool’s 3-0 defeat to Manchester City, has come under fire following his involvement in the decision to disallow Van Dijk’s first-half header. The goal was overturned after Andy Robertson was judged to be in an offside position and obstructing the goalkeeper’s view.

A Premier League statement later confirmed: “The referee’s call of offside and no goal to Liverpool was checked and confirmed by VAR – with Robertson in an offside position and deemed to be making an obvious action directly in front of the goalkeeper.”

Liverpool manager Arne Slot voiced his frustration after the match, insisting: “It was obvious and clear that the wrong decision was made. He didn’t interfere at all with what the goalkeeper could do.”

The disallowed goal denied Liverpool a crucial equaliser before they ultimately fell 3-0 at the Etihad.

Meanwhile, Michael Oliver remains prohibited from officiating matches involving two clubs — Newcastle United and Sunderland — due to his personal connections. A lifelong Newcastle supporter, Oliver also represented the club at youth level and has openly admitted his allegiance.

“We have to declare if we support a club or have family members working for one,” Oliver previously told the Daily Mail. “You can’t do any match involving that team, and I can’t do Sunderland either, for obvious reasons.”

He added: “If Newcastle needed a point to stay up and the team they were battling with was, say, Aston Villa, I couldn’t referee Villa’s game either. It’s not worth the hassle.”

Former PGMOL chief Keith Hackett has explained that referees are required to declare their background and club associations before each season, to prevent any conflicts of interest in match appointments.