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 described as having “a dustbin for a heart”.

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

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

Italy currently sits at the bottom of the group on goal difference after a 2-0 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, there are additional English officials, Stuart Attwell and Matthew Donahue.

Oliver, a 41-year-old referee, recently officiated Inter’s 2-1 Champions League defeat to Real Madrid.

His record with the Italy 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 fixtures, 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” when he awarded a penalty and sent Buffon off during the Champions League quarter-final against Real Madrid in April 2018.

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

Source: Football Italia