Sunderland graduate to take charge at Wembley

Sunderland graduate Michael OIiver has received a Wembley call up to referee a FA Cup semi-final at the home of football this weekend.

Michael, 29, from Ashington, Northumberland, will be in charge during the match between the holders Wigan Athletic against the strong favourites to win the competition, Arsenal.

The match takes place in London on Saturday, April 12, and will be live on TV at 5:07pm, kicking off at that time to honour those who died at Hillsborough 25 years ago. 

Michael’s career has gone from strength to strength since graduating in Sport and Exercise Development from the University of Sunderland in 2009.

It is the second time in his career that he will officiate at a FA Cup semi-final after taking charge between Wigan Athletic v Millwall in April 2013, when he became the youngest referee to take charge of an FA Cup semi-final.

It is less than four years since Michael also became the youngest referee to officiate a Premier League match when he made his debut in August 2010 for the match between Birmingham City against Blackburn Rovers, while only 25 years and 182 days old.

Michael started refereeing junior matches when he was 14 and began refereeing men's football, the Morpeth Sunday League, a week after his 16^th birthday. Prior to his time in the Premier League, Oliver was a Football League referee for three years after learning his trade with four years at non-league level.

In 2012, his quick progress was rewarded as he was elevated to the FIFA list of referees, making him now eligible to take charge of fixtures in the Champions League and Europa League, as well as UEFA internationals.