Referee Michael Oliver will not be officiating a Premier League match this weekend following his controversial decision in the FA Cup fifth-round tie between Crystal Palace and Millwall.
During the game, Michael Oliver failed to stop play after Crystal Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta was kicked in the head and suffered a serious injury.
Despite being asked to review the incident using the VAR pitchside monitor, Oliver only gave a straight red card to Millwall goalkeeper Liam Roberts.
Mateta had to be stretchered off the field and received 25 stitches for a severe laceration to his left ear at St George’s Hospital.
Former Premier League referee Keith Hackett criticized Oliver’s handling of the situation.
Hackett said: “What an appalling challenge, and I have to ask the question—why did one of the world’s top referees fail to immediately show a red card?
“It is, frankly, an absolute no-brainer.”