Claim: A Threads user claims Michael Oliver has been suspended after a controversial goal decision.
Verdict: False. Neither PGMOL nor any credible media outlet has reported the alleged suspension of Oliver following the Manchester derby. Rather, he is scheduled to officiate one of the games in matchweek five.
Full Text
Manchester City sailed past derby rivals through Erling Haaland’s controversial goal, earning the visitors three solid points and causing United to rue Sunday evening.
However, City’s win came after a controversial evaluation by the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) when new signee Enzo Fernandez was judged not to have interfered with play when he attempted to head in the ball before it came into contact with Haaland.
Against this backdrop, a Threads user claimed (archived here) that the umpire who officiated Sunday’s game, Michael Oliver, has been suspended indefinitely.
“BREAKING! Michael Oliver has reportedly been suspended indefinitely following his controversial officiating in the Manchester United vs. Manchester City,” the post read.
Similar posts were shared here, here, here, here, and here.
As of Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2026, the post has gathered over 3,600 likes, 1,100 comments, 174 retweets, and 705 shares.
Other Threads users who reacted to the post via comments thought the football umpire should be severely sanctioned beyond his alleged suspension. But some pointed out that the assertion is not true.
“Oliver should be suspended for the rest of the season,” @lewia.adjin wrote.
“Michael Oliver has a record of poor officiating, especially in Man Utd matches. He deserves the punishment,” @ops_desert_storm commented.
“It is a lie. RefereeMichael Oliver is not on suspension,” @babadeanthony stated.
Because of the existing controversy, DUBAWA decided to verify the post.
Verification
DUBAWA conducted a keyword search to see if any credible media outlet has reported Oliver’s alleged suspension, but found none.
We also checked the Premier League news section where any latest developments about the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) are usually shared. We found no report about Oliver’s alleged suspension.
The strongest evidence comes from the Premier League itself. Its official list of matchweek five officiating appointments, published on Sept. 14, identifies Oliver as referee for Bournemouth versus Liverpool, with Stuart Burt and James Mainwaring as his assistants. The game is scheduled for Sunday, Sept. 20, 2026.
Following the controversial incident last week, only VAR Matt Donohue and assistant VAR Blake Antrobus will be sidelined from Premier League appointments the following weekend. Chief Refereeing Officer Howard Webb and the management team made the decision. They are expected to be reconsidered after the international break. See also here and here.
Conclusion
The claim that Oliver has been suspended indefinitely is false. No credible report has relayed Oliver’s alleged suspension.