PREMIER LEAGUE referee Michael Oliver is one of football’s most experienced officials.
And he’ll be the man in the middle for Brazil’s tasty quarter-final clash against Croatia TODAY.
GettyMichael Oliver took charge of Japan’s match against Costa Rica[/caption]
Oliver, 37, had his first taste of Qatar action when he took charge of Japan’s 1-0 defeat to Costa Rica.
And he was the referee for Mexico’s 2-1 win over Saudi Arabia.
But who exactly is Michael Oliver and what games will he be involved in at the World Cup?
Who is Michael Oliver?
Born in Ashington, Northumberland, Oliver began refereeing at the age of 14 after being introduced to it by his father.
By 2007 he became the youngest referee to officiate at Wembley stadium when he whistled the Conference National play-off final.
Oliver continued to break records becoming the youngest-ever Football League referee and youngest Premier League fourth official.
REUTERSMichael Oliver awarded a controversial penalty to Real Madrid against Juventus in 2018 and sent off Gianluigi Buffon[/caption]
PA:Empics SportMichael Oliver took charge of Blackburn’s game with Birmingham in 2010 when he was just 25 years old[/caption]
In 2010, Oliver became the youngest ever Prem referee at the age of 25 years and 182 days old when he officiated Birmingham City’s game with Blackburn Rovers.
He was selected for Champions League duty in 2016 where he took charge of three group-stage games.
Oliver was caught up in controversy in April 2018 when he refereed to Champions League quarter-final second leg between Real Madrid and Juventus.
In injury time and with the aggregate score level at 3-3, Oliver awarded Real Madrid a controversial penalty and, in the melee, sent off Juventus Goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon.
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In the aftermath, police investigated threatening messages sent to Oliver’s wife after her phone number was leaked on social media.
Buffon was rapped for his explosive post-match interview.
The Italian legend clearly let himself down when he said: “The team gave their all, but a human being cannot destroy dreams like that at the end of an extraordinary comeback on a dubious situation.
“The referee has a trashcan where his heart should be.
“On top of that, if you don’t have the character to walk on a pitch like this in a stadium like this, you can sit in the stands with your wife, your kids, drinking your Sprite and eating crisps.”
What games will Michael Oliver be officiating at the World Cup?
Japan 0-1 Costa RicaSaudi Arabia 1-2 MexicoCroatia vs Brazil