GLOBAL — A high-stakes English Premier League match on Sunday, November 9, 2025 (EAT), has ignited a fresh storm of controversy around officiating standards, placing veteran referee Michael Oliver at the centre of fierce debate. Manchester City secured a decisive 3-0 victory over Liverpool, but the match was overshadowed by a critical VAR decision made by Oliver that has since prompted an official complaint from Liverpool FC.

The incident occurred in the 38th minute at the Etihad Stadium with Manchester City leading 1-0. Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk appeared to have equalised with a powerful header. However, the goal was disallowed after a review by Oliver, the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) for the match. The on-field referee was Chris Kavanagh.

The official explanation from the Premier League stated that Liverpool's Andrew Robertson, who was in an offside position, was deemed to be interfering with play by making an "obvious action directly in front of the goalkeeper." The decision was met with immediate protest from Liverpool players and manager Arne Slot, who later described the call as "obvious and clear that the wrong decision has been made."

Subsequent analysis and pundit commentary have heavily scrutinized the call, with many arguing that Manchester City's goalkeeper, Giorgi Mamardashvili, had a clear line of sight and that Robertson's actions did not impede his ability to attempt a save. The controversy deepened as Manchester City scored their second goal shortly after, fundamentally altering the course of the game. The final 3-0 scoreline, with goals from Erling Haaland, Nico Gonzalez, and a standout performance from Jeremy Doku, saw City close the gap on league leaders Arsenal.

The 'Ban': Fact vs. Fiction

The intense focus on Oliver's decision has led to widespread reports that he has been "barred" or "banned." While it is true that Oliver is prohibited from officiating matches involving two English clubs, this is not a new or punitive measure resulting from the recent controversy. It is a long-standing protocol based on allegiances to ensure impartiality.

According to regulations from the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL), the body responsible for refereeing in English professional football, officials must declare any club allegiances at the start of each season. Oliver, a native of Northumberland, is a lifelong supporter of Newcastle United. Consequently, to avoid any potential conflict of interest, he is permanently barred from refereeing matches involving Newcastle United and their fierce local rivals, Sunderland.

In a past interview with the Daily Mail, Oliver clarified the rule: "We have to declare if we have an allegiance to any club or if a family member works at a club. You can't do any match involving that team, and I can't do Sunderland, either, for obvious reasons." This standard integrity measure applies to other referees as well, based on the teams they support or their places of residence.

Implications for the Premier League in Kenya

For the millions of passionate Premier League fans across Kenya and East Africa, the controversy touches on critical aspects of the sport: the integrity of refereeing and the reliability of the VAR system. The English Premier League is the most-watched football league in the region, with intense rivalries and a significant, multi-billion shilling sports betting industry closely tied to its outcomes.

High-profile officiating errors, or decisions perceived as such, fuel widespread debate and can erode trust in the fairness of the competition. Liverpool's decision to formally contact the PGMOL underscores the seriousness of the club's grievance and keeps the spotlight on the need for consistency in the application of VAR, a technology that remains deeply divisive among fans and experts alike. As the title race intensifies, every major decision will continue to be analysed with heightened scrutiny by a global audience, including the dedicated fanbase in Kenya, for whom Premier League football is a weekend staple.