The Premier League has granted Michael Oliver a gameweek off refereeing, instead utilizing him as VAR, as they reveal their assignments for the weekend, with Rob Jones in charge of Manchester United’s trip to Aston Villa.
Michael Oliver will not be officiating this weekend, instead focusing on VAR responsibilities, as the Premier League releases its officials’ lineup.
Oliver, largely considered as the top referee in the country, has not been assigned a game for the next weekend after officiating Bournemouth’s victory against Southampton on Monday night. His duties include serving as the VAR for Brentford’s match against Wolves.
Oliver was in charge of a heated match between Manchester City and Arsenal less than a fortnight ago, which finished in a draw. He chose to send off Leandro Trossard, who received his second yellow card for delaying the restart, something the PGMOL is anxious to tough down on this season.
Oliver and Anthony Taylor have frequently taken command of the most important games in English football, but there is a growing desire to divide the workload. The PGMOL often rotates its workers, and Oliver’s tasks this week are no exception.
PGMOL chairman Howard Webb is also employing a smaller pool of referees as VARs, with Oliver serving as a specialist as both a second set of eyes at Stockley Park and a referee.
Rob Jones has been assigned to Aston Villa’s game against Manchester United, the weekend’s biggest match. He also oversaw their thrilling FA Cup semi-final against Coventry last year, giving the Sky Blues a stoppage-time penalty. Taylor has been assigned a game and will referee Ipswich’s trip to West Ham. Simon Hooper will oversee Liverpool’s game at Crystal Palace.
Premier League refereeing appointments
Saturday October 5 – Crystal Palace against Liverpool
Referee: Simon Hooper.
Assistants: Adrian Holmes and Simon Long.
Fourth official, Leigh Doughty.
VAR: David Coote.
Natalie Aspinall serves as the assistant VAR.
Saturday, October 5 – Arsenal against Southampton
Referee: Tony Harrington.
Assistants: Darren Cann and Derek Eaton.
Fourth official: Josh Smith.
VAR: Michael Salisbury.
Ian Hussain serves as the assistant VAR.
Saturday, October 5 – Brentford vs Wolves
Referee: Andy Madley.
Assistants: Nick Hopton and Wade Smith.
Fourth official, James Bell.
VAR: Michael Oliver.
Stuart Burt, assistant VAR.
Saturday, October 5 – Leicester against Bournemouth
Referee: Darren Bond.
Assistants: Constantine Hatzidakis and Matthew Wilkes.
Fourth official: Robert Jones.
VAR: Stuart Attwell.
Dan Cook, assistant VAR.
Saturday October 5 – Manchester City against Fulham
Referee: Peter Bankes.
Assistants: Eddie Smart and Nick Greenhalgh.
Fourth official: Oliver Langford.
VAR: Graham Scott.
Sian Massey-Ellis serves as the assistant VAR.
Saturday, October 5 – West Ham against Ipswich
Referee: Anthony Taylor.
Assistants: Gary Beswick and Adam Nunn.
Fourth official: Andrew Kitchen.
VAR: Darren England.
Scott Ledger serves as the assistant VAR.
Saturday, October 5 – Everton against Newcastle
Referee: Craig Pawson.
Assistants: Marc Perry and Mark Scholes.
Fourth official, Tim Robinson.
VAR: Chris Kavanagh.
Assistant VAR: Harry Lennard.
Sunday October 6 – Aston Villa against Manchester United
Referee: Robert Jones.
Assistants: Neil Davies and Akil Howson.
Fourth official: Simon Hooper.
VAR: John Brooks.
Gary Beswick serves as the assistant VAR.
Sunday, October 6 – Chelsea against Nottingham Forest
Referee: Chris Kavanagh.
Assistants: Lee Betts and James Mainwaring.
Fourth official: Tony Harrington.
Jarred Gillett serves as the VAR.
Wade Smith serves as the assistant VAR.
Sunday, October 6 – Brighton vs Tottenham
Referee: David Coote.
Assistants: Timothy Wood and Craig Taylor.
Fourth official: Andy Madley.
VAR: Paul Tierney.
Assistant VAR: Adam Nunn.
Fourth official: Simon Hooper.
VAR: John Brooks.
Gary Beswick serves as the assistant VAR.
Sunday, October 6 – Chelsea against Nottingham Forest
Referee: Chris Kavanagh.
Assistants: Lee Betts and James Mainwaring.
Fourth official: Tony Harrington.
Jarred Gillett serves as the VAR.
Wade Smith serves as the assistant VAR.
Sunday, October 6 – Brighton vs Tottenham
Referee: David Coote.
Assistants: Timothy Wood and Craig Taylor.
Fourth official: Andy Madley.
VAR: Paul Tierney.
Assistant VAR: Adam Nunn.
