Hackett hails ‘world-class’ Michael Oliver after Wolves and Brighton players ignored
Keith Hackett has backed Michael Oliver “100%” for how he reacted to consecutive injuries to Wolves’ Toti Gomes and Brighton right-back Tariq Lamptey.
The former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA official exclusively told Football Insider that the referee was correct not to stop play for either incident.
After six straight wins, Wolves suffered a second consecutive defeat as they lost 2-0 to Brighton at Molineux on Saturday (10 May), boosting the Seagulls’ hopes of European qualification.
However, there was an incident in the game in which both sides may have been left unhappy about the refereeing of Oliver.
Toti Gomes and Tariq Lamptey denied injury break
Midway through the first half, Danny Welbeck was denied an opener for Brighton due to Yankuba Minteh being in an offside position as he attempted to make contact with his teammate’s shot.
Moments later though Welbeck would give his side the lead from the spot, after Wolves striker Matheus Cunha conceded a penalty but avoided being sent off for a last man challenge inside the area.
Ten minutes into the second half and with the hosts searching for an equaliser, Toti went to ground and stayed down after being caught in the stomach, with Oliver waving play on.
After a subsequent ball was cleared, Wolves were able to recycle possession, at which point Lamptey then went down inside his own half for Brighton with a problem of his own.
Oliver again instructed play to continue, pointing out he had done the same with Toti, while insisting both players get to their feet, as the move ended with Cunha seeing a shot saved by Bart Verbruggen.
The referee has endured a difficult season, not least around his dismissal of Arsenal left-back Myles Lewis-Skelly against Wolves.
But on this occasion Hackett was keen to pay tribute to the way Oliver handled this incident.
| Brighton last five games | Result |
| Leicester (H) | Drew 2-2 |
| Brentford (A) | Lost 4-2 |
| West Ham (H) | Won 3-2 |
| Newcastle (H) | Drew 1-1 |
| Wolves (A) | Won 2-0 |
Wolves and Brighton handled well by Michael Oliver
After being asked by Football Insider what he made of the referee’s consistent and firm approach in not stopping the game for either player, Hackett said:
“I’ve got a strong view on this. I support Michael Oliver 100%, and I applaud how he approached these situations.
“What we’re seeing in the game is players going down, and other head injuries there’s no reason, it’s not a broken leg, it might be a muscle injury.
“But I see no reason why a referee should stop the game unless it’s a head injury, or the injury is serious.
“These are not serious injuries and I think Michael Oliver should be applauded for leading the way in not stopping the game every time a player goes down.
“Because what we’re actually seeing more of is when a team is attacking, we’re seeing the ability of a player going down and almost feigning injury in order to stop the game.
“So we’re getting tactical breakups of this nature – player going to ground, let’s have a water break, let’s have something else.
“Oliver is a very experienced, top referee. He’s world class, there’s no question about it. I think he’s not had his greatest season in my own terms.
“But nonetheless his approach is mature and sensible, and he’s taking into account if you like the interests of the game, the interest of the value of the entertainment ect.
“I think he’s actually saying ‘you’re not injured mate, or if you’re injured with a bit of pain, I don’t think the physio is required to come on, therefore I’m keeping the game going.’ He’s applying the law as it should be applied.”