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  "path": "/sport/football/michael-oliver-spain-belgium-world-cup",
  "publishedAt": "2026-07-10T21:02:12.000Z",
  "site": "https://www.gbnews.com",
  "tags": [
    "Arthur Fery's Wimbledon run comes to an end as he loses in straight-sets to Alexander Zverev",
    "World Cup winner Nobby Stiles' cause of death confirmed as full inquiry launched",
    "Jannik Sinner beats Novak Djokovic and reaches men's Wimbledon final",
    "The GB News Editorial Charter"
  ],
  "textContent": "\n\n\nEnglish referee Michael Oliver suffered an embarrassing moment during Spain's World Cup match against Belgium.\n\nThe official took charge of the quarter-final contest as the two sides bid for a spot in the last four.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nOliver's mix-up came 35 minutes in, with Spain taking a corner short as the ball moved onwards to Fabian Ruiz.\n\nThe midfielder switched the field of play towards Dani Olmo on the edge of the penalty area.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nTRENDING\n\nStories\n\nVideos\n\nYour Say\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nAs the attacking midfielder was set up for a strike on goal, Oliver backpeddled, bumping and nearly knocking Olmo to the floor.\n\nThe English referee immediately blew his whistle to stop the game, putting both hands up in the air in apology for the moment.\n\nOliver made sure Olmo was fine, who saw the lighter side of the situation, laughing.\n\nMarc Cucurella appeared frustrated with the official, making a point of shooting a look of frustration in his direction.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n### LATEST SPORTS NEWS\n\n\n\n\n  * Arthur Fery's Wimbledon run comes to an end as he loses in straight-sets to Alexander Zverev\n  * World Cup winner Nobby Stiles' cause of death confirmed as full inquiry launched\n  * Jannik Sinner beats Novak Djokovic and reaches men's Wimbledon final\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nFifa recently confirmed Oliver and fellow English referee Anthony Taylor will not be able to officiate Argentina fixtures.\n\nA spokesman said the Falklands War, which took place 44 years ago, remains a consideration when assigning match officials.\n\nA source familiar with the process described it as \"quite fluid\", noting there are no rigid rules governing such decisions.\n\nNeither Oliver nor Taylor would be permitted to officiate Argentina's quarter-final clash with Switzerland this weekend, given the outcome could determine England's potential semi-final opponents.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nStandard Fifa regulations already prevent referees from officiating their own nation's matches or any group stage fixture involving their country's opponents.\n\nThe Fifa Referees Committee, headed by former World Cup final referee Pierluigi Collina, maintains ongoing oversight of official performance as the primary factor in match appointments.\n\nEngland and Argentina being on the same half of this year's draw raises the prospect of history repeating itself.\n\nThe Three Lions are in action tomorrow against Norway to potentially book a spot in the semi-final.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nEngland have enjoyed a fantastic run so far, which included beating Mexico at the Azteca Stadium in the last-16.\n\nThanks to goals from Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham, the Three Lions won 3-2 in a memorable night in Mexico City.\n\nThomas Tuchel could potentially be without Marc Guehi and Declan Rice tomorrow, with the centre-back nursing a hamstring issue and Rice being ill and missing training.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n**Our Standards: The GB News Editorial Charter**",
  "title": "Michael Oliver suffers embarrassing moment during Spain's World Cup match against Belgium"
}