What Arne Slot allegedly said to provoke red card from Michael Oliver according to lip reader

Arne Slot is rumored to have sarcastically remarked to Michael Oliver that he had a “great game.”

 

If this claim is accurate, Oliver’s reaction appears excessive. If the referee issued a straight red card solely based on Slot’s sarcastic comment, it would seem impulsive and unnecessary. If that was the extent of the Liverpool manager’s remarks, a warning should have sufficed.

 

Referees and match officials deserve respect for the challenging job they perform, but that does not mean they should be beyond criticism or hold themselves above others involved in the game.

 

On the night, Oliver, 39, was responsible for several questionable decisions, including wrongly awarding the free-kick that led to Everton’s opening goal and failing to spot a clear foul on Ibrahima Konaté before James Tarkowski’s stoppage-time equalizer.

 

While mistakes like these naturally invite constructive criticism, some of the personal attacks aimed at Oliver online have been unacceptable. Abuse of any kind, especially the racist comments directed at Abdoulaye Doucouré, must be condemned.

 

Once again, a major Premier League match has been overshadowed by controversial officiating. Restoring public confidence in referees and the PGMOL will require a consistent improvement in officiating standards.