Premier League referees Anthony Taylor and Michael Oliver will miss out on a lucrative World Cup payday after FIFA rules prevented either official from taking charge of Sunday's final at MetLife Stadium. Oliver had emerged as a leading contender to referee the showpiece match after impressing throughout the tournament, but England's progression to the semi-finals and geopolitical sensitivities ruled him out.
FIFA Regulations Prevent English Officials
Under FIFA rules, referees cannot officiate matches involving their own country. England's semi-final appearance immediately ruled Oliver out of the Three Lions' clash with Argentina and any potential final involving England. The regulations also prevent referees from taking charge of matches that could directly affect their country's path through the tournament, meaning both Oliver and Taylor were unavailable for the other semi-final between France and Spain.
Additionally, English referees are not appointed to Argentina fixtures because of the long-standing sensitivity surrounding the 1982 Falklands War. This left Oliver with no route to officiating the final regardless of whether England or Argentina reached the tournament's showpiece.
Financial Impact of the Ban
The situation means both officials will miss out on the highest earnings available to referees at this summer's World Cup. According to The Times, referees at the tournament could earn up to $100,000 (£85,000), with significant bonuses paid for officiating matches in the latter stages of the competition.
A total of 51 referees were on FIFA's list for the tournament after Somalia's Omar Artan was unable to travel to the United States following reports he was refused entry. Officials are understood to have received a base fee covering up to six weeks at the tournament, having arrived at the competition's base in Miami in June. The basic payment is believed to be around double the amount paid to referees at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, when officials also received additional match fees during the knockout stages.
Oliver's Tournament Performance
Oliver officiated four matches during the tournament, overseeing Netherlands against Sweden, Norway versus France, Canada against Morocco, and Spain's quarter-final victory over Belgium. His quarter-final appointment also produced one of the tournament's more unusual moments when he accidentally blocked Spain's Dani Olmo during an attack. Oliver immediately apologised before stopping play and allowing the game to restart.
