Referee Michael Oliver has come under fire from Bayer Leverkusen midfield general Granit Xhaka, who spent seven years at Arsenal from 2016 to 2023, for giving Bayern Munich a penalty in their all-Bundesliga Champions League match.
Vincent Kompany’s team moved one step closer to the quarterfinals with the mysterious Harry Kane at the double and Jamal Musiala’s goal in the 54th minute. However, in his post-match interview, 32-year-old Xhaka let out his emotions.
It was a contentious game because, with the score tied at 2-0, Oliver gave Bayern a chance to increase their lead with a penalties kick, which Kane gladly converted because he is considered one of the best penalty takers in international football.
Even though they were behind by two goals, Xabi Alonso and his team played well until Edmond Tapsoba was sent off for pulling Kane to the ground in the six-yard area in the 72nd minute.
The VAR advised Oliver to check his pitchside monitor after he first failed to call the foul. The 40-year-old official was mobbed by Alonso’s supporters, who were furious with the ruling. Xhaka stood close by, his arms raised in complete shock.
In his post-match interview, Xhaka, a Switzerland international with 135 caps, was quick to point the finger upon Oliver, implying that the official would not have made the same choice in England. He pointed at the man in the centre and uttered:
Michael Oliver doesn’t give that in the Premier League. I knew Michael from my seven years there. He wouldn’t whistle it in the Premier League, I’m positive. The Premier League has so many blockages that it didn’t matter today.
The FC Basel academy graduate started by saying, “It’s a bit disappointing from him to whistle such a penalty at this level and probably decide the game.” He went on to say, “If you give a penalty for every block, there would be so many penalties every game.”
Granit Xhaka on the penalty: "In the Premier League, he [Michael Oliver] doesn't give that. I spent 7 years there and know Michael. I'm convinced he wouldn't whistle it in the Premier League. There are so many blocks in the Premier League that today it was nothing. It's a bit… pic.twitter.com/y6K8xrkAw2
— Bayern & Germany (@iMiaSanMia) March 5, 2025
When you consider the continuing dispute between Oliver and his old team, Arsenal, who feel that the Ashington-born referee referees them differently, Xhaka’s remarks are very telling.
In their grumpy 1-0 victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers in January, this was partially accurate. Oliver sent Myles Lewis-Skelly off after he tripped Matt Doherty only 10 yards outside the Wolves’ 18-yard box.
That day, Lewis-Skelly was given his first red card in his career. Former PGMOL chief Keith Hackett and a significant portion of the Emirates Faithful feel that he committed a “major error,” and they started a formal petition to ban Oliver from officiating their games.
xz
