𝐁𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐊𝐈𝐍𝐆: Gary Neville Backs Michael Oliver and Accuses Mikel Arteta of Influencing Arsenal Fans to Claim Refs Are ‘Corrupt’

Gary Neville has launched a scathing defense of referee Michael Oliver after the controversial red card issued to Myles Lewis-Skelly in Arsenal’s narrow 1-0 win over Wolves. The former Manchester United captain has also aimed strong criticism at Mikel Arteta, accusing him of manipulating Arsenal fans into believing that referees are working against them.

The incident at the heart of the controversy came when Lewis-Skelly was sent off for a challenge on Matt Doherty. Initially, VAR upheld Michael Oliver’s decision, but Arsenal launched an appeal. An independent panel later rescinded the red card, meaning the youngster avoided a three-game suspension.

Arteta, never one to shy away from expressing his frustrations, was outraged by the decision, calling it an “obvious mistake” and a grave injustice. His remarks ignited fierce debate, with some agreeing that the red card was harsh, while others defended Oliver’s call, arguing that the tackle was dangerous and warranted a sending-off.

But the controversy didn’t end on the pitch. Reports emerged that Michael Oliver received abuse and even death threats in the aftermath of the decision, sparking widespread condemnation from the PGMOL (Professional Game Match Officials Limited). The refereeing body released a statement condemning such behavior, emphasizing the need for respect and safety in the game.

Amid this heated atmosphere, Arteta addressed the issue in a pre-match press conference, where he distanced himself from the abusive messages sent to Oliver. The Arsenal boss stressed the need to create a healthier football environment, free from hostility toward referees and other officials.

However, Gary Neville sees things differently. Speaking on The Overlap’s Stick to Football podcast, the Sky Sports pundit accused Arteta of deliberately fueling tensions between Arsenal fans and match officials. According to Neville, Arteta’s constant complaints about refereeing decisions are pushing supporters to believe in a false narrative of corruption.

Neville didn’t stop there. He also criticized the decision to remove Michael Oliver from officiating Arsenal’s upcoming clash against Manchester City, arguing that such a move sets a dangerous precedent. He believes that removing referees after controversial calls only validates conspiracy theories and makes their jobs even harder.

“Michael Oliver is one of the best referees in the world,” Neville said. “If we start pulling referees from big games just because of fan outrage, where does it stop? This is exactly the kind of thing that undermines the credibility of officials.”

The wider issue here, according to Neville, is the growing hostility towards referees in English football. He argues that while managers like Arteta have the right to express frustration over decisions, they must be careful about how they do it, as their words can have unintended consequences.

Football is an emotional sport, and every club has had its fair share of contentious decisions. But Neville believes that turning referees into enemies will only make things worse for the game. Instead of constantly questioning their integrity, he suggests that clubs should focus on working with officials to improve standards.

Arteta has long been a passionate and vocal figure on the touchline, but his intense reactions have often put him at odds with officials. While Arsenal fans may feel that their club gets unfair treatment, Neville insists that referees do not go into matches with bias and that claims of corruption are dangerous for the sport.

The Myles Lewis-Skelly red card will likely be remembered as one of the more controversial moments of Arsenal’s season, but the bigger debate about respecting referees and accountability in football continues.

With Arsenal still fighting on multiple fronts this season, Arteta will have to decide whether continuing to battle referees in the media is the right approach—or if it’s time to focus purely on results on the pitch.

What do you think? Did Arteta cross the line, or is he simply standing up for his team? Let us know in the comments! 💬👇