Michael Oliver (referee)

Michael Oliver (born 20 February 1985) is an English professional football referee who primarily officiates in the Premier League.

Oliver began refereeing at a young age, quickly progressing through the ranks. He became the youngest referee to officiate in the Football League when he took charge of a match between Shrewsbury Town and Rochdale in August 2007, at the age of 22. He was subsequently appointed to the Premier League list of referees in 2010, becoming one of the youngest referees to officiate in the top flight.

Oliver has officiated numerous high-profile matches, including FA Cup finals, League Cup finals, and Champions League matches. He is known for his decisive decision-making and consistent application of the laws of the game. He has also served as a FIFA referee, officiating international matches.

Oliver has occasionally been subject to controversy and scrutiny regarding his decisions, as is common for referees in professional football. These incidents are often widely discussed in the media and by fans. However, he is generally regarded as one of the leading referees in English football.