Michael Oliver slammed by ex-player after what he was seen doing in Arsenal v Everton
Former Everton player Michael Ball has accused referee Michael Oliver of showing “an air of arrogance” in the loss to Arsenal.
The Toffees squandered a lead given to them by Idrissa Gueye in Sunday’s (19 May) 2-1 defeat at Emirates Stadium.
Takehiro Tomiyasu levelled up shortly after and Kai Havertz struck a late winner in controversial circumstances.
Gabriel Jesus appeared to use his arm to cut out Ashley Young’s stray pass, but the referee did not agree and Havertz’s goal stood.
Writing in his column for the Liverpool Echo [20 May], Ball said: “Gabriel Jesus touches the ball with his arm, he meant it and he leans his body to gain an advantage so it’s 100 per cent handball even though his arm is by his side.
“I don’t think the referee looked at it enough from different angles. The way Oliver strolled off with an air of arrogance it seemed like he was playing up to the occasion with Arsenal going for the title and Premier League chief executive Richard Masters watching on in the Emirates Stadium.
“Referees have got a tough job and always get loads of stick but you react to the way they treat you. If you could have a conversation with them it was ok but if they spoke to you like a school teacher, it made it more frustration.
“Oliver just seemed to give it a short glance and act like ‘it’s my decision and I’m going to be the big one’.”
Everton robbed of point against Arsenal
First and foremost, what on earth was Young even trying to do in his moment of madness? Everton were minutes away from what would have been an impressive point in North London.
Still, the fact the referee did not intervene and rule the goal out for offside seemed a strange decision. Even stranger was Oliver’s reaction as he seemingly refused to accept anything other than his initial call.
Everton have been on the end of some terrible refereeing calls this season, which just adds further evidence to the pile of the club being wronged by the Premier League.
The standard of officiating in the division on the whole has been terrible all season and does not look as though it is going to get better anytime soon.
Thankfully, the Toffees had nothing to play for at the weekend, so this decision will be forgotten about in no time.
In other Everton news, the club are at risk of going bust as 777 Partners face fresh legal uncertainty.
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