Supporters of Leeds United have reacted to the announcement that Michael Oliver will be the referee for the Whites’ next match.
During the upcoming round of Premier League fixtures, the Whites host West Ham United in an 8pm kick-off on Friday night (per Premier League).
On Wednesday, BBC journalist Adam Pope relayed a screenshot from the Premier League’s website which announced that Oliver would be the man in the middle for the clash.
The official on VAR for David Moyes’ side’s trip to Elland Road will be Jarred Gillett.
After the screenshot was relayed to Whites fans on Twitter by Pope, lots of them shared their reactions.
So, what did these Leeds United fans make of the appointment of Michael Oliver?
Referee for #lufc v Hammers is Michael Oliver. pic.twitter.com/BaXRMlByoB
— Adam Pope (@apopey) December 8, 2020
Michael Oliver is never good… I know he reffed the Liverpool game for us
— Evie (@MeslierSZN) December 8, 2020
Would rather have @iamjohnoliver!
— Locked Jow-n 2.0 (@RichJow) December 9, 2020
defo getting screwed over https://t.co/tZ1TXQyrh5
— Armo (@Jordan_Armo) December 8, 2020
The tweet from Pope also showed that Darren England would be the fourth official for the match at Elland Road, which some fans commented on.
Are you worried about Michael Oliver being the referee for the West Ham game?
No, he's not that bad
Yes, he is terrible
People missing the 4th official ????? ?
— Martyn ? ALAW (@farmerboi23) December 9, 2020
Micheal Oliver and Darren England just spells disaster ?
— Shauna Yates (@Shortieyates04) December 8, 2020
The 35-year-old referee, Oliver, has been in charge of 16 games so far this season, nine of which have been in the Premier League (per Transfermarkt).
Only one of those was a Leeds match and that was the Whites’ 4-3 defeat to Liverpool on the opening day of the season.
With Gillett on VAR, though, some supporters were positive about the appointments.
I’ve got time for Jarred on the VAR. seems the most decent out of all of them*
*I reserve the right to retract this tweet after Friday
— Paul G (@LPP2014) December 8, 2020
That’s not too bad, he knows his own mind. The good news there is the VAR official, Jarred Gillett, he’s generally been very sensible! Fingers crossed!
— David Watkins (@DaveLUFCWatkins) December 8, 2020
As can be seen in these responses from Leeds fans, there was a bit of a mixed reaction from them regarding the appointment of Michael Oliver and the officials that will be assisting him.