Former Premier League referee Keith Hackett is 'concerned' Michael Oliver could leave English football after he was spotted refereeing in Saudi Arabia during the week.
Oliver took charge of the game between Cristiano Ronaldo's Al-Hilal and Al-Nassr in Riyadh on Tuesday - four days before taking charge of Liverpool's Premier League clash with Nottingham Forest at Anfield.
The 38-year-old is consider the Premier League's best official and was one of just two referees from England to be selected for the World Cup in Qatar.
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Ex-referee Hackett told Football Insider in relation to Oliver’s midweek trip to the Middle East: “He will have sought permission from his boss, Howard Webb – and from the FA. Webb himself was in charge of referees in Saudi Arabia for a time, so that link probably helped them out.
“Oliver has done a World Cup, and he’s in line for the next World Cup too – he’s our number one. But I’m concerned. Both Webb and Mark Clattenburg went over to the Middle East on a full-time basis. There is a risk there of the Premier League losing a world-class referee.”
Liverpool have not won any of the four Premier League matches Oliver has taken charge of this season.
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