Ex-PGMOL chief responds to footage of what Everton fans did to Michael Oliver outside of stadium y'day

Everton fans’ chants against Michael Oliver after the Manchester City game on Monday wouldn’t have upset him.

Keith Hackett believes such a culture is just part of football and the English referee wouldn’t be bothered after receiving criticism from home supporters outside Hill Dickinson Stadium on 4 May.

In a video posted on social media on 5 May, fans can be seen calling Oliver a “disgrace” and “cheat”, likely aggrieved primarily by the decision not to penalise Bernardo Silva for the apparent foul on Merlin Rohl inside the box during a corner.

The ex-PGMOL chief has backed the English referee, who will be representing his country at the 2026 World Cup, as “world-class”, despite plenty of criticism directed at him by the Hill Dickinson Stadium faithful after the 3-3 draw.

David Moyes wasn’t pleased with Oliver and the officials after the game, but it’s just part of the game and the Merseyside outfit’s supporters will just have to swallow it.

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Speaking to Goodison News, Hackett said, “Michael Oliver is a world-class referee who will be representing his country at the upcoming World Cup. Fans will view his performance based on which club they support.

“They were probably booing because he did not give a penalty kick for that grappling offence by Bernardo Silva committed on Everton’s Merlin Rohl. It will not upset Michael that he received that negative banter. That’s part of football.”

While Oliver might be one of the best in the business in the Premier League, the Toffees will surely be looking for accountability after the game.

There are some decisions from the on-field referee that can be up for debate, like the amount of time added on, but it’s surprising that not even VAR thought Silva was illegally impeding Rohl in the moment while almost rugby tackling him.

Howard Webb leads VAR operations in the Premier League and it wouldn’t be surprising to see the Blues demanding answers from him.

Those at Stockley Park have received intense criticism from fans and clubs, and something needs to change to improve the quality of officiating in the English top flight.

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After Thierno Barry’s stroke of luck against Manchester City, scoring a brace in a span of 13 minutes, Everton should have kept hold of their lead.

With Jake O’Brien also finding the back of the net in between, the Toffees found themselves with a two-goal lead for the final nine minutes before extra time.

A simple run from Erling Haaland in between the two centre-backs saw Man City get their second before Jeremy Doku scored from outside the box in the 97th minute as the Blues’ defence stood their ground instead of closing the attacker down.

The Merseyside outfit should have sealed the three points regardless of what they thought about Oliver’s performance and Moyes will surely recognise that.

Updated 24/7 with expert analysis from the heart of Goodison Park.

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