Who is Michael Oliver, the referee for AS Roma vs Bayer Leverkusen? Europa League 2022-23

AS Roma play Bayer Leverkusen in the Europa League semi-finals on Thursday. The man in the middle for the first leg in the Italian capital will be English official Michael Oliver.

Who is Michael Oliver?

Michael Oliver is a Premier League referee and become the youngest ever referee in a Premier League match when he took charge of Birmingham City versus Blackburn Rovers at the age of 25 years and 182 days old, a record which still stands. Since then, he has gone on to officiate over 300 matches in the English top flight.

In May 2009, Oliver refereed the League One play-off final at Wembley, 24 hours after his father Clive had officiated the League Two play-off final at the same stadium. And just last month, he took charge of Al Nassr vs Al Hilal in the Saudi Pro League, showing Cristiano Ronaldo a yellow card for dragging an opponent to the ground in a headlock.

Roma and Leverkusen’s record with Oliver

The Giallorossi have never been refereed by Oliver, while Leverkusen have never lost a match with Oliver in charge.

The second leg between the sides takes place on 18 May.