Referee Head Calls Out Oliver for Failing to Send Off Lewis-Skelly Incident
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Myles Lewis-Skelly was red-carded for a foul on Matt Doherty.
Arsenals fine of 65,000 and Myles Lewis-Skelly’s three-match suspension have been overturned after the incident in which he received a straight red card during Arsenal’s Premier League victory over Wolves. The decision was made following an appeal by the Gunners against referee Michael Oliver’s original ruling.
Former England captain Alan Shearer described it as one of the worst decisions he had seen in a long time, while Referees’ chief Howard Webb acknowledged that although officials got it wrong, “its not a horrendous decision to make. He added: From the outset we would prefer a yellow card in this situation.
On Match Officials Micd Up – Premier League Productions programme which analyses VAR decisions from previous gameweeks C Webb stated his view that while Oliver was correct to see high contact and intention, he made an error in identifying serious foul play. He highlighted the need for excessive force or brutality, adding that Lewis-Skellys studs only glanced off Doherty’s leg without penetrating it.
Varian Darren England upheld Olivers decision at first but conceded Webb’s point: The referee saw the player moving towards an opponent and made high contact. But we know for serious foul play, excessive force or brutality is required. The collision was glancing with quick studs on a bare leg rather than brute impact.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta fumed at the decision, stating it was so obvious he didn’t think his words would help clarify matters. “I am absolutely fuming,” he told Match of the Day, but then left the discussion to fans and viewers: It is that obvious.
Former Chelsea and Scotland winger Pat Nevin expressed astonishment at the red card, stating it was unjustified given Lewis-Skelly’s age. “Myles Lewis-Skelly is only 10 yards outside of the oppositions box,” he said to Sky Sports. It must be violent conduct but that doesnt look like violent conduct.
The incident resulted in Oliver and his family facing threats and abuse on social media, leading PGMOL to initiate a police investigation. This form of behavior was described as “wholly unacceptable” by Webb.
