Premier League ref Michael Oliver subject of complaint after penalty controversy

17 August 2023 , 19:38

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Michael Oliver is surrounded by players during Marseille vs Panathinaikos

Marseille have taken issue with Michael Oliver after the English referee oversaw their controversial Champions League exit at the hands of Panathinaikos, submitting a complaint to UEFA.

The French side suffered from a number of contentious decisions before suffering elimination in a penalty shoot-out. Geoffrey Kondogbia was sent off in the first leg, while their opponents were handed a late penalty to equalise at Stade Velodrome after a Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang double had left L'OM within minutes of progressing.

Marseille's issue appears to be one of consistency, according to reports coming out of France. It is not the first time Oliver has made a big penalty call late in a Champions League game, with a different incident infuriating Juventus after their 2018 elimination.

Following the defeat, Marseille have dropped into the Europa League for the upcoming season. Panathinaikos, meanwhile, can book themselves a spot in the Champions League group stages if they can win a play-off against Braga.

According to L'Equipe (via The Mail), Marseille took issue with a number of decisions in the second leg. They include, but are not limited to, the awarding of a penalty which Fotis Ioannidis converted in the ninth minute of stoppage time to force extra-time and - eventually - a penalty shoot-out.

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Matteo Guendouzi missed the first of the Ligue 1 side's spot-kicks, with their opponents converting five out of five to progress. However, Marseille are said to be unhappy Panathinaikos' penalty was awarded after a VAR check when an earlier appeal of their own didn't go to VAR.

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Panathinaikos celebrate after winning on penalties (Guillaume Horcajuelo/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)

Former Arsenal midfielder Guendouzi, who came off the bench in the first and second legs, continues to be linked with a move away from France. The 24-year-old had been linked with Aston Villa and West Ham, but L'Equipe (via Get French Football News) also reports that interest in him has waned.

Lazio and Inter Milan remain in the conversation for the midfielder, who lost his starting spot last season. However, it is suggested that the suitors might prefer a loan with an option rather than an immediate purchase.

The game in France on Tuesday wasn't the first time Oliver has upset a European team with a last-gasp penalty. Five years ago, the official incurred the wrath of then-Juventus goalkeeper Gigi Buffon after awarding Real Madrid a match-winning spot-kick in the dying stages of a knockout tie.

"It was a tenth of a penalty,” Buffon said at the time. “I know the referee saw what he saw, but it was certainly a dubious incident. Not clear-cut. And a dubious incident at the 93rd minute when we had a clear penalty denied in the first leg, you cannot award that at this point.

“The team gave its all, but a human being cannot destroy dreams like that at the end of an extraordinary comeback on a dubious situation. Clearly you cannot have a heart in your chest, but a garbage bin."

Oliver was in charge of Arsenal's win over Nottingham Forest on the first weekend of this Premier League season. He is due to be back in action on Saturday as the man in the middle when Tottenham host Man Utd.

Tom Victor