The World Cup quarterfinal between Spain and Belgium this afternoon at SoFi Stadium promises high drama.
English official Michael Oliver has the whistle for this massive Friday night showdown.
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Who Is the Spain vs Belgium Referee?
Michael Oliver is one of soccer’s most experienced officials.
At just 25 years old, he became the youngest referee in English Premier League history.
Now 41, Oliver boasts an impressive resume.
He has officiated more than 425 Premier League games and 47 UEFA Champions League fixtures.
Friday’s clash marks Oliver’s seventh career World Cup match.
His past experience includes the famous Croatia vs Brazil quarterfinal in Qatar.
He has handled three games at the current tournament.
His most recent assignment was Morocco’s 3-0 victory over Canada in the round of 16.
Michael Oliver Referee Stats and Cards
According to Transfermarkt, Oliver averages 5.17 yellow cards per World Cup match.
This is notably higher than his career average of 3.28 bookings per game.
During the Morocco vs Canada match, Oliver issued eight total yellow cards.
However, he has never shown a red card or awarded a penalty at a World Cup.
Interestingly, Oliver has never refereed Spain or Belgium at a major tournament.
Both teams will experience his officiating style for the first time on Friday.
Why Can an English Referee Officiate This Match?
Some fans wonder why an English referee can work this game while England remains in the tournament.
FIFA rules only prevent referees from officiating their own home country’s matches.
Because the winner of Spain vs Belgium cannot face England until the final, no conflict of interest exists.
Oliver leads an experienced crew.
Fellow Englishmen Stuart Burt and James Mainwaring will act as assistant referees, while Brazil’s Ramon Abatti serves as the fourth official.
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