English referee Michael Oliver, a prominent official at the World Cup, could be barred from officiating the final match due to historical sensitivities surrounding the 1982 Falklands War, the BBC reports. This policy, aimed at maintaining neutrality, also means Argentinian referees would be ineligible for any England matches. Oliver, 41, is one of seven Premier League officials in North America for the tournament and has been tipped as a potential candidate for the final.
The prohibition extends to other English referees as well. Anthony Taylor, another English official present at this World Cup, was reportedly unable to officiate in the 2022 tournament for the same reason. This policy highlights FIFA's priority on perceived impartiality in its most significant matches.
Oliver is scheduled to officiate his seventh World Cup match in the quarter-finals between Spain and Belgium, a record for an English referee in the competition. His potential unavailability for the final, should Argentina reach that stage, stems from the long-standing sensitivities surrounding the Falklands War, known in Argentina as the Malvinas War. In 1982, 649 Argentinian military personnel died in the conflict. Recent celebrations by Argentinian players following their victory over Egypt included chants referencing the Falkland Islands, underscoring the enduring national sentiment around the territory.
Beyond Oliver and Taylor, England is also represented by assistant referees Stuart Burt, James Mainwaring, Gary Beswick, and Adam Nunn. Additionally, Australian referee Jarred Gillett, who officiates in the Premier League, is serving as a video assistant referee.
The tournament has seen other controversies related to officiating. Egypt's manager, Hossam Hassan, alleged unfair treatment against Argentina, citing commercial reasons and external pressures influencing decisions. He questioned disallowed goals and penalty calls, suggesting a bias towards ensuring Argentina's continued participation.
Further scrutiny arose from FIFA's decision to allow Folarin Balogun to play for the United States against Belgium despite receiving a red card in a previous match. Reports suggested intervention from Donald Trump influenced the delay of his ban. Additionally, Thomas Tuchel questioned the appointment of South American VAR officials for England's match against Mexico, deeming the officiating and VAR decisions insufficient for the stakes involved.