Mikel Arteta has called for football to 'kick out' the abuse referees face after renowned official Michael Oliver received death threats against his family following his contentious decision during Arsenal's victory against Wolves. Oliver, who officiated the match where Arsenal defender Myles Lewis-Skelly received a red card, has been the target of online vitriol, which the Professional Games Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) described as 'abhorrent abuse.'
The incident unfolded on Saturday when Oliver issued a straight red card against Lewis-Skelly for what he judged to be serious foul play against Wolves' Matt Doherty. Despite the decision not being overturned by VAR, it was later repealed by an independent commission ruling the teenager should not serve any suspension.
Arteta, speaking before Arsenal's subsequent Champions League match against Girona, emphasized the need to improve the game's culture. 'Every time I talk about this topic, regardless of whether it’s about a player, coach, or referee, it doesn’t matter,' he stated. 'We really have to work harder to eradicate this part of the game.' He added, 'Let’s get it out, let’s kick it out. We don’t want it, we don’t need it and certainly damages our sport.'
Following the uproar, PGMOL released a statement condemning the abuse directed at Oliver. 'We are appalled by the threats and abuse directed at Michael Oliver following the Wolverhampton Wanderers v Arsenal fixture. 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 statement read.
Arteta expressed his frustration, stating he was 'absolutely fuming' after the match, and urged for stronger measures to combat online abuse. 'First of all, it’s about spending more time making the right decisions… We haven’t done it (on social media) and they’re all talking about it but no one seems to be moving strongly enough,' he remarked. 'It’s just unacceptable.'
This backlash has led to the decision to not involve Oliver in Sunday’s high-profile match between Arsenal and Manchester City. Instead, he is set to referee Ipswich's game against Southampton this Saturday, and will take charge of the much-anticipated Merseyside derby between Everton and Liverpool on February 12.
Oliver is no stranger to high-pressure matches, having officiated 65 Liverpool fixtures, including three Merseyside derbies. His last encounter at Goodison Park was memorable for its intensity, finishing 2-2, where significant decisions prompted debate over VAR’s role, particularly with Jordan Pickford's controversial challenge on Virgil van Dijk.
The broader issue of referee safety and accountability continues to loom, especially with online threats becoming increasingly common both for referees and players alike. The growing prominence of social media has magnified the potential for harm, encouraging toxic behavior among some fans.
Many stakeholders across football are rallying for effective policies to handle online abuse. Arteta’s vocal stance exemplifies a shift within the sport, hinting at the need for comprehensive strategies for maintaining referee safety and upholding the integrity of the game.
While Arsenal is riding high, sitting third in the Champions League table and close to qualification, the noise off the pitch raises concerns about the game's culture. Commentators have noted the disparity between the passion of the fans and the responsibility required of them to engage respectfully, irrespective of contentious decisions.
With matches on the horizon, all eyes will not only be on the actions taken by players on the pitch but also on how footballing bodies respond to these challenges off it. For now, Oliver continues his tenure at the pinnacle of match officiation, albeit under the shadow of recent threats and rising tensions from the fanbase.