Ex-FIFA official blasts Michael Oliver for major call in Liverpool win
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Keith Hackett Criticises Michael Oliver’s Decision on Lesley Ugochukwu’s Challenge Against Liverpool
Former FIFA referee and ex-PGMOL chief Keith Hackett has publicly stated that Burnley midfielder Lesley Ugochukwu should have received a red card for a challenge against Liverpool’s Alexis Mac Allister during their Premier League match on 14 September 2025.
In the 16th minute of the game at Turf Moor, Ugochukwu made a sliding tackle that seriously injured Mac Allister’s ankle, forcing the Argentine to be substituted by Conor Bradley at half-time. Despite the severity of the foul, referee Michael Oliver issued only a yellow card to Ugochukwu.
Keith Hackett criticised Oliver’s decision, emphasizing that the challenge “endangered the opponent and fulfilled the law for serious foul play,” and asserted that the correct sanction should have been a red card. The implication is that the tackle was reckless and posed significant danger to the opponent’s welfare, warranting a sending off rather than a caution.
Burnley were pursuing their second Premier League win of the season and hosted Nottingham Forest in their following fixture on 20 September. Liverpool, who did not field new signing Alexander Isak in this match, remain confident about their pursuit of defender Marc Guehi despite a failed move on transfer deadline day.
PP