Premier League referee Michael Oliver don pull out of im first game for di World Cup after e suffer injury. Di Geordie referee suppose to be di man for middle for di clash between unknown teams for Philadelphia for di small hours of Monday morning. However, FIFA don reveal say Oliver don dey replaced for di game for Group E.
FIFA statement read: “Appointment change: Due to a minor injury, referee Michael Oliver (ENG) don dey replaced by Francois Letexier (FRA). Oliver dey expected to dey available for selection again for di coming days.”
Im withdrawal mean say UK officials Stuart Burt and James Mainwaring wey dey run di line go also miss out for Philly. FIFA don announce say Cyril Mugnier and Mehdi Rahmouni don dey called in alongside di experienced Letexier.
Oliver, wey don referee for di top level for di Premier League, World Cup 2022 and Euro 2024, talk two years ago about di buzz of officiating for major tournaments. E talk before di Euros: “Di eyes of di world dey on dis tournament. You get sense when you arrive for di stadium say di atmosphere different. Di pressure, di competition, and di quality of matches all dey higher. You dey aware of dat pressure, but you just try to prepare di best you can and make sure you ready for am. Dere dey perception say we turn up five minutes before kick-off, leave straight after, and no think about football for a week. But we put so much training and work into am, to be di best, to limit mistakes. Nobody need to tell me after game how well I don do – or not. I know dat more than anybody.”
Oliver don be international referee since 2012, and part of UEFA Elite Group since 2018. Oliver dey expected to back for di next round of group matches.
