Michael Oliver

From a young age, Michael Oliver showed a great passion for refereeing, influenced by his father. He was born on February 20, 1985 in Ashington, England, and at just 14 years old he began his path in the world of refereeing. His talent and character allowed him to quickly rise through the lower categories of English football, and in 2010 he made his debut in the Premier League, becoming one of the youngest referees to reach this level.

With a confident and firm refereeing style, Oliver has managed high-tension matches, combining authority with balanced judgment. His reputation led him to earn the FIFA badge in 2012, allowing him to officiate international matches and prestigious European competitions.

One of the most memorable moments of his career occurred in the 2017/18 Champions League, when he refereed the second leg match in the quarter-finals between Real Madrid and Juventus. In the final minutes, he awarded a penalty to the Spanish team that sparked great controversy. The reaction of Gianluigi Buffon, who was expelled for vehemently protesting, became one of the tensest moments of the tournament.

Throughout his career, Oliver has officiated important matches, such as the 2018 FA Cup final between Chelsea and Manchester United and the 2022 UEFA Super Cup between Real Madrid and Eintracht Frankfurt. His consistency has earned him the respect of players and coaches, although he has not been without controversies. In January 2025, his sending off of an Arsenal player generated both criticism and threats on social media, leading to public condemnation by the refereeing authorities.

Despite the challenging moments, Michael Oliver remains one of the most recognized referees in English and European football, standing out for his ability to manage high-level matches with professionalism and impartiality.