LONDON (AP) — The Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) has expressed its outrage regarding the "abhorrent abuse," including death threats, aimed at Premier League referee Michael Oliver and his family after a volatile match between Arsenal and Wolverhampton. Following Arsenal's narrow 1-0 win at Molineux on Saturday, tensions arose after Oliver decided to issue a red card to Myles Lewis-Skelly for a foul deemed "serious foul play." This decision led to significant backlash from fans and pundits alike, including Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta, who stated he was "absolutely fuming" over the call.

The PGMOL, in a recent statement, has stated, "No official should be subject to any form of abuse, let alone the abhorrent attacks aimed at Michael and his family over the past 24 hours." The organization confirmed that police investigations are underway to address the threats directed at Oliver and to ensure the safety of match officials. The situation was intensified when Reuters reported the referee’s decision was backed by VAR review, a move that some have criticized publicly.

Former Premier League referee Mike Dean, who weighed in on the issue, acknowledged the integrity of Oliver's decision during a Sky Sports segment, suggesting it fell within the bounds of serious foul play. However, others like Alan Shearer, the Premier League’s all-time top scorer, criticized the decision as “one of the worst” he had witnessed in recent years. In response to the ongoing fallout from the incident, Oliver's well-being has become a priority for the PGMOL, with commitment to combatting unacceptable behavior in sports.

Both the PGMOL and law enforcement are handling this unfortunate occurrence seriously, aiming to foster a safer environment for all officiating staff in English soccer as noted in AP News.