Premier League referee Michael Oliver has pulled out of his first game at the World Cup after suffering an injury.
The Geordie referee was due to be the man in the middle for the clash between Ecuador and the Ivory Coast in Philadelphia in the small hours of Monday morning. However, a FIFA statement has revealed Oliver has been replaced for the game in Group E.
A FIFA statement read: “Appointment change: Due to a minor injury, referee Michael Oliver (ENG) has been replaced by Francois Letexier (FRA). Oliver is expected to be available for selection again in the coming days.”
His withdrawal means that UK officials Stuart Burt and James Mainwaring who were running the line will also miss out in Philly. FIFA have announced that Cyril Mugnier and Mehdi Rahmouni called in alongside the experienced Letexier.
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Oliver, who has refereed at the top level in the Champions League, World Cup 2022 and Euro 2024, said two years ago about the buzz of officiating at major tournaments. He said before the Euros then: “The eyes of the world are on this tournament.
“You get a sense when you arrive at the stadium that the atmosphere is different. The pressure, the competition, and the quality of matches are all higher.
View 2 ImagesOliver is among the world’s top referees(Image: Getty Images)
“You’re aware of that pressure, but you just try to prepare the best you can and make sure you’re ready for it. There’s a perception that we turn up five minutes before kick-off, leave straight after, and don’t think about football for a week.
“But we put so much training and work into it, to be the best, to limit mistakes. Nobody needs to tell me after a game how well I’ve done – or not. I know that more than anybody.”
Oliver has been an international referee since 2012, and part of UEFA’s Elite Group since 2018. Oliver is expected to back for the next round of group matches.
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