Michael Oliver to referee crucial Nations League clash between Italy and Turkiye

English referee Michael Oliver has been appointed to oversee Italy’s vital Nations League match against Turkiye on Monday, the official whom Gigi Buffon famously remarked had “a dustbin for a heart”.

The match is set to kick off at the Ataturk Spor Kompleski Matli Stadyumu in Bursa on Monday at 19.45 UK time (20.45 CEST).

This encounter is a significant showdown at the bottom of Group A, as both teams suffered defeats in their opening matches.

Italy currently sit at the bottom of the group on goal difference after a 2-0 home loss to Belgium, while Vincenzo Montella’s Turkiye fell 1-0 to France.

Oliver to officiate Turkiye vs. Italy

UEFA has designated English referee Oliver for this fixture, with Stuart Burt and James Mainwaring as his assistants, and Darren England serving as the Fourth Official.

In the VAR booth, more English officials will be present, with Stuart Attwell and Matthew Donahue.

Oliver, a 41-year-old referee, recently took charge of Inter’s 2-1 Champions League defeat against Real Madrid.

His record with the Italian national team is not impressive, having overseen a 2-2 draw with Armenia in October 2013 and a 0-0 friendly against the Republic of Ireland in May 2014.

Across club teams and youth international matches, Oliver has officiated 11 Italian victories, seven draws, and nine defeats.

Most infamously, he was accused by Gianluigi Buffon of having “a dustbin for a heart” after awarding a penalty and sending him off during the Champions League quarter-final against Real Madrid in April 2018.

Regarding Turkiye, Oliver has officiated three wins and one 6-0 defeat to Spain, including the 2026 World Cup qualifying play-off against Kosovo.

Source: Football Italia