Many West Ham United fans have been commenting on referee Michael Oliver’s performance during the first Premier League game of the restart.
Following the temporary suspension of the 2019/20 campaign, Wednesday saw the first game in three months as Aston Villa took on Sheffield United at an empty Villa Park, with the hosts sitting five points behind the Hammers in 19th place in the standings.
Huge controversy sparked in the game just before half-time, as Oliver Norwood’s free-kick was fumbled into his own net by Villans keeper Orjan Nyland. The ball clearly crossed the line but Oliver, his assistant and the Hawk-Eye goal-line technology system failed to spot or register the ball going over the line.
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West Ham do not play their first match until Saturday when they take on Wolves at the London Stadium.
Unsurprisingly, supporters were not impressed with Oliver’s actions and made their feelings clear on social media. One fan said that he has “no common sense”, while another described and labelled him as a “terrible ref”.
No common sense at all shown from Michael Oliver there to stop play and use VAR to double check. Best league in the world with the worst referees in the world!
— West Ham News (@whufc_news) June 17, 2020
He is a terrible ref 😂
— cobblarr! ⚒ (@andrewcobb20) June 17, 2020
Another example of it not being used in the way it was intended
— Ian ⚒ (@BulletTime) June 17, 2020
His egos to big to check var .
— Rossco (@REllenor) June 17, 2020
Exactly this. No common sense. Also spineless. He should’ve spoken to both managers at half time, explained his error and asked villa to allow Sheffield United to score from the restart.
— Dylan Baker (@DylanBaker1986) June 17, 2020
Too much reliance on technology now. The refs are getting lazy
— ricky abery (@aberyr) June 18, 2020