{{Short description|English football referee}} {{Use dmy dates|date=March 2024}} {{Use British English|date=March 2024}} {{Infobox football official | birth_date = {{Birth year and age|1985}} | birth_place = [[Penwortham]], [[Lancashire]], England | years3 = 2016–21 | league3 = [[English Football League]] | role3 = Referee | years4 = 2021– | league4 = {{fbaicon|England}} [[Premier League]] | role4 = Referee |otheroccupation=Teacher|fullname=Michael Salisbury|role2=Referee|league2=[[National League (division)|National League]]|years2=2015–16|image=Manchester United v Aston Villa, 25 September 2021 (15) (cropped Michael Salisbury).jpg|caption=Salisbury in 2021}}
'''Michael Salisbury''' (born 1985) is an [[English people|English]] professional [[Association football|football]] [[Referee (association football)|referee]] and former teacher who belongs to the [[Select Group|Select Group of Referees]] in England and officiates in the [[Premier League]] and Championship{{Citation needed|date=May 2026|reason=no reference anywhere in article to championship}}.
== Early and personal life == Salisbury was born in [[Penwortham]] in 1985.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Premier League Referees: PL Officials For 23/24 Season |url=https://jobsinfootball.com/blog/premier-league-referees/ |website=Jobs In Football |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Michael Salisbury - Referee {{!}} BDFutbol |url=https://www.bdfutbol.com/en/r/r612018.html |website=www.bdfutbol.com}}</ref> His father, Graham, is a former referee who retired at the end of the 2020–21 season,<ref>{{Cite web |year=2001 |title=Referee Graham Salisbury to retire |url=https://efl.com/news/2021/may/referee-graham-salisbury-to-retire/ |website=[[EFL.com]]}}</ref> after a 21-year career as an [[English Football League|EFL]] referee.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-03-20 |title=Every referee currently working in the Premier League |url=https://onefootball.com/en/news/every-referee-currently-working-in-the-premier-league-38770820 |website=OneFootball |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite web |date=22 June 2021 |title=Preston official Michael Salisbury will referee in Premier League next season |url=https://www.lep.co.uk/sport/football/preston-official-michael-salisbury-will-referee-in-premier-league-next-season-3281702 |website=[[Lancashire Evening Post]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Meet the Referee - Michael Salisbury |url=https://www.scfc2.co.uk/referees/michael-salisbury/ |access-date=2024-03-20 |website=SCFC2 Swansea City Fans Website |language=en-GB}}</ref>
Salisbury has two children.<ref>{{Cite web |date=18 August 2020 |title=Trio of Lancashire match officials making the step up |url=https://www.lep.co.uk/sport/football/trio-of-lancashire-match-officials-making-the-step-up-2945949 |website=Lancashire Evening Post}}</ref>
== Career == Salisbury is a former PE teacher<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |date=2022-09-02 |title=Salisbury to referee Palace clash |url=https://www.nufc.co.uk/news/latest-news/salisbury-to-referee-palace-clash/ |access-date=2024-04-05 |website=Newcastle United Football Club |language=en}}</ref> and previously taught at [[Parklands High School, Chorley|Parklands High School]].<ref name=":1" />
=== Refereeing === Salisbury was introduced to refereeing by his father, Graham, and began his refereeing career in 2001 in the local leagues in [[Preston, Lancashire|Preston]].<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |title=Four new referees for 2021/22 Premier League |url=https://www.premierleague.com/news/2175938/1000#! |access-date=2024-04-04 |website=www.premierleague.com |language=en}}</ref> His father retired on the final day of the 2020–21 season, having officiated 588 Football League games,<ref name=":2" /> and Salisbury was his fourth official for the game.<ref name=":3" />
Salisbury was involved in his first professional game in 2010 as an Assistant Referee in the EFL.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Michael Salisbury to take charge of Southampton vs Brentford |url=https://www.brentfordfc.com/en/news/article/michael-salisbury-to-take-charge-of-southampton-vs-brentford-615558 |access-date=2024-04-05 |website=www.brentfordfc.com |language=en-gb}}</ref> Salisbury began refereeing in the [[National League (English football)|Vanarama National League]] in the [[2015–16 National League|2015–16 season]] before being promoted to [[EFL League Two|League 2]] [[2016–17 EFL League Two|the following season]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Michael Salisbury to take charge at Luton Town on Saturday |url=https://www.brentfordfc.com/en/news/article/michael-salisbury-to-take-charge-at-luton-town-on-saturday-523517 |access-date=2024-04-04 |website=www.brentfordfc.com |language=en-gb}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=12 September 2023 |title=Referee announced for Luton Town's Premier League trip to Fulham |url=https://www.lutontoday.co.uk/sport/football/luton-town/referee-announced-for-luton-towns-premier-league-trip-to-fulham-4289248# |website=Luton Today}}</ref>
Salisbury was the [[reserve assistant referee]] for the [[2016 FA Cup final]] which took place between [[Crystal Palace F.C.|Crystal Palace]] and [[Manchester United F.C.|Manchester United]] on 21 May 2016.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Association |first=The Football |title=Mark Clattenburg to referee the 2016 Emirates FA Cup Final |url=http://www.thefa.com/news/2016/apr/28/mark-clattenburg-to-referee-2016-emirates-fa-cup-final |access-date=2024-04-06 |website=www.thefa.com |language=en}}</ref>
On 29 June 2020, Salisbury refereed the [[2020 EFL League Two play-off final]] in [[Northampton Town F.C.|Northampton Town]]'s 4–0 win over [[Exeter City F.C.|Exeter City]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite news |last=Ames |first=Nick |date=2020-06-29 |title=Northampton overpower Exeter to clinch promotion to League One |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/jun/29/exeter-city-northampton-town-league-two-playoff-final-match-report |access-date=2024-04-05 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=Northampton ease past Exeter in play-off final |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/53177235 |access-date=2024-04-05 |work=BBC Sport |language=en-GB}}</ref>
On 3 May 2021, Salisbury refereed the [[2020 FA Vase final]] between [[Consett A.F.C.]] and [[Hebburn Town F.C.|Hebburn Town]] which was a 3–2 win for Hebburn Town.<ref name=":4" />
==== Premier League (2021–present) ==== Salisbury was promoted to the [[Premier League]] as a Referee ahead of the [[2021–22 Premier League|2021–22 season]], having previously been an assistant referee in the league.<ref name=":3" /> His first Premier League game in charge was [[Aston Villa F.C.|Aston Villa]]'s 2–1 win over [[Crystal Palace F.C.|Crystal Palace]] at [[Selhurst Park]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Halsey |first=Mark |date=2021-11-29 |title=Michael Salisbury will learn to give himself more time after error in Aston Villa's win over Crystal Palace, says Mark Halsey |url=https://www.caughtoffside.com/2021/11/29/michael-salisbury-will-learn-to-give-himself-more-time-after-error-in-aston-villas-win-over-crystal-palace-says-mark-halsey/ |website=CaughtOffside |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Aarons |first=Ed |date=2021-11-27 |title=Aston Villa overcome Crystal Palace to extend Steven Gerrard’s fine start |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2021/nov/27/crystal-palace-aston-villa-premier-league-match-report |access-date=2024-04-05 |work=The Observer |language=en-GB |issn=0029-7712}}</ref> Both clubs were subsequently charged with misconduct by the FA after both sets of players, unhappy with decisions made by Salisbury in the second half, and failed to conduct themselves in an orderly fashion.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Villa and Palace charged by FA |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/59504201 |access-date=2024-04-05 |work=BBC Sport |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Crystal Palace and Aston Villa charged by FA over player conduct in Premier League clash |url=https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11661/12484512/crystal-palace-and-aston-villa-charged-by-fa-over-player-conduct-in-premier-league-clash |access-date=2024-04-05 |website=Sky Sports |language=en}}</ref>
On 8 April 2023, Salisbury was the [[Video assistant referee|VAR]] official for a [[Brighton & Hove Albion F.C.|Brighton & Hove Albion]]'s 2–1 defeat to [[Tottenham Hotspur F.C.|Tottenham Hotspur]] and failed to intervene after referee [[Stuart Attwell]] missed a trip by [[Pierre-Emile Højbjerg]] on [[Kaoru Mitoma]] in the penalty area when the score was 1–1.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rampling |first=Ali |title=VAR who denied Brighton penalty dropped for weekend fixtures |url=https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/4400745/2023/04/11/brighton-var-referee-michael-salisbury/ |access-date=2024-04-05 |website=The Athletic |language=en}}</ref> [[Professional Game Match Officials Limited|PGMOL]] subsequently offered an apology to Brighton, and Salisbury was dropped from the subsequent [[Premier League]] fixtures.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Son scores landmark goal as Spurs beat Brighton |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/65145673 |access-date=2024-04-05 |work=BBC Sport |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Naylor |first=Andy |title=Brighton receive apology after being denied penalty at Tottenham |url=https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/4394206/2023/04/09/brighton-tottenham-penalty-var/ |access-date=2024-04-05 |website=The Athletic |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-04-11 |title=Another Premier League referee punished! Michael Salisbury suspended for controversial penalty decision in Tottenham vs Brighton match {{!}} Goal.com UK |url=https://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/premier-league-referee-salisbury-suspended-controversial-penalty-tottenham-brighton/bltf0566bc970a479a4 |access-date=2024-04-05 |website=www.goal.com |language=en-GB}}</ref>
On 14 August 2023, Salisbury was the [[Video assistant referee|VAR]] official for a [[Manchester United F.C.|Manchester United]]'s 1–0 win over [[Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C.|Wolverhampton Wanderers]].<ref>{{Cite news |title=Varane heads winner as Man Utd edge out Wolves |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/66424895 |access-date=2024-04-05 |work=BBC Sport |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-08-15 |title=Man Utd 1-0 Wolves: Officials apologise for error |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/articles/c51vy2xyej5o |access-date=2024-04-05 |website=BBC Sport |language=en-GB}}</ref> Manchester United goalkeeper [[André Onana]] collided with Wolves forward [[Saša Kalajdžić|Sasa Kalajdzic]] in the penalty area during stoppage time and the on-field referee, [[Simon Hooper]], did not award the penalty and Salisbury failed to intervene and award the penalty.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Whittell |first=Martin Hardy, Ian |date=2024-04-05 |title=Man United vs Wolves: Referees behind VAR error stood down |url=https://www.thetimes.com/sport/football/article/manchester-united-vs-wolves-pgmol-boss-apologises-for-var-error-5p8r96rp8 |access-date=2024-04-05 |language=en |issn=0140-0460}}</ref><ref name=":5">{{Cite web |date=2023-08-15 |title=Ref, VAR off Prem duty after Onana penalty error |url=https://www.espn.co.uk/football/story/_/id/38195447/referee-var-taken-prem-duty-onana-penalty-error |access-date=2024-04-05 |website=ESPN.com |language=en}}</ref> PGMOL apologised to Wolves Manager [[Gary O'Neil]] after the game, and Salisbury along with Hooper and the Assistant VAR were dropped for the subsequent Premier League fixtures.<ref name=":5" /><ref>{{Cite news |last=Burt |first=Jason |date=2023-08-15 |title=Referee and VARs who missed Andre Onana red card are stood down |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2023/08/15/simon-hooper-referee-stood-down-andre-onana-red-card/ |access-date=2024-04-05 |work=The Telegraph |language=en-GB |issn=0307-1235}}</ref>
On 27 November 2023, Salisbury refereed Fulham's 3–2 win over Wolves at [[Craven Cottage]], with Salisbury awarding three penalties during the match.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Willian penalty for Fulham sinks Wolves amid VAR controversy |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/67470815 |access-date=2024-04-05 |work=BBC Sport |language=en-GB}}</ref> Wolves manager Gary O'Neil said after the game that Salisbury admitted that Fulham's first penalty should have been overturned, with O'Neil also stating that he disputed with Salisbury over whether [[Carlos Vinícius]] should have been sent off for a headbutt.<ref>{{Cite web |title=O'Neil {{!}} 'VAR is not helping' {{!}} Men's First-Team {{!}} News |url=https://www.wolves.co.uk/news/mens-first-team/20231127-oneil-var-is-not-helping/ |access-date=2024-04-05 |website=Wolverhampton Wanderers FC |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-11-28 |title=Wolves boss fumes over 'seven points' lost to VAR |url=https://www.espn.co.uk/football/story/_/id/38996521/wolves-boss-oneil-fumes-seven-points-lost-var |access-date=2024-04-05 |website=ESPN.com |language=en}}</ref> The Premier League's Independent Key Match Incidents Panel found that Salisbury had made two errors during the match in awarding the first penalty to Fulham and not sending Vinícius off.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-12-01 |title=Panel backs VAR over Wolves controversy |url=https://www.espn.co.uk/football/story/_/id/39019036/panel-backs-var-wolves-controversy-fulham |access-date=2024-04-05 |website=ESPN.com |language=en}}</ref> On 31 August 2025, he was dropped from his VAR duties for a match between [[Liverpool F.C.|Liverpool]] and [[Arsenal F.C.|Arsenal]].<ref>{{cite news|title=VAR official dropped after PGMOL admit mistake over Fulham goal|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/ce93l9j0xk8o|website=BBC Sport|date=31 August 2025|access-date=2 September 2025}}</ref> It came after when Sailsbury played a controversial role of recommending referee [[Robert Jones (referee)|Robert Jones]] to disallow a goal from Fulham’s [[Joshua King (footballer, born 2007)|Josh King]] in the 21st minute.The decision was widely condemned by pundits including [[Stuart Pearce]], [[Jamie Carragher]] and [[Rio Ferdinand]].<ref>{{cite news |title='I can’t accept that' – Disallowed Fulham goal at Chelsea sparks widespread fury |work=talkSPORT |date=30 August 2025 |url=https://talksport.com/football/3514509/fulham-disallowed-goal-chelsea-fury-var/ |access-date=2 September 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title='Unbelievably unfair' – Marco Silva takes aim at VAR after 'dream moment' ruined by controversy |work=talkSPORT |date=30 August 2025 |url=https://talksport.com/football/3514509/marco-silva-fulham-chelsea-var-rant-controversy/ |access-date=2 September 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Hytner |first=David |title=João Pedro and Fernández fire Chelsea to win against Fulham after VAR drama |work=The Guardian |date=30 August 2025 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2025/aug/30/chelsea-fulham-premier-league-match-report |access-date=2 September 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Chelsea 2–0 Fulham: Josh King sees goal controversially disallowed by VAR before Joao Pedro and Enzo Fernandez fire hosts to victory |work=Sky Sports |date=30 August 2025 |url=https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/13420410/chelsea-2-0-fulham-josh-king-sees-goal-controversially-disallowed-by-var-before-joao-pedro-and-enzo-fernandez-fire-hosts-to-victory |access-date=2 September 2025}}</ref>
On 17 May 2026, Salisbury refereed [[Manchester United F.C.|Manchester United's]] 3-2 win over [[Nottingham Forest F.C.|Nottingham Forest]] at [[Old Trafford]]. In the 54th minute, a ball played into to the Nottingham Forest penalty box hit Manchester United's striker, [[Bryan Mbeumo|Brian Mbeumo's]], hand. Mbeumo then shot at goal, which was saved and then subsequently scored by Manchester United winger, [[Matheus Cunha]]. VAR strongly advised Salisbury to overturn the goal, saying that the handball rendered the subsequent goal illegal. However, after 3 minutes of deliberation, Salisbury did not overturn the goal which led to commentator [[Gary Neville]] to call his decision "an absolute shocker" and "ridiculous".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Johnson |first=Dale |date=2026-05-17 |title=Premier League: Another handball 'mess' - is it time to change law? |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/cjwp9yvgvleo |access-date=2026-05-18 |website=BBC Sport |language=en-GB}}</ref> The on-pitch explanation given by Salisbury was that the accidental nature of the handball meant that the goal was valid. The PGMO later admitted the goal should not have been given.<ref> {{Cite web |title=Man Utd vs Nottingham Forest: PGMO admits error in allowing Matheus Cunha goal after Bryan Mbeumo handball |url=https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/13545589/man-utd-vs-nottingham-forest-pgmo-admits-error-in-allowing-matheus-cunha-goal-after-bryan-mbeumo-handball |access-date=2026-05-18 |website=Sky Sports |language=en}}</ref>. Salisbury was not chosen to referee any more Premier League games that season, with speculation it was due to this event.<ref>https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/c1j2egjlp53o</ref>
== List of refereed domestic finals == {| class="wikitable" style="margin:1em auto 1em auto; text-align:center; font-size:small;" |- ! colspan="4" |[[2020 EFL League Two play-off final]]<ref name=":0" /> |- !Date !Match !Score !Venue |- |29 June 2020 |[[Exeter City F.C.|Exeter City]] – [[Northampton Town F.C.|Northampton Town]] |0–4 |[[Wembley Stadium]] |- ! colspan="4" |[[2020 FA Vase final]]<ref name=":4">{{Cite news |title=Hebburn clinch FA Vase with late winner |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/56959063 |access-date=2024-04-05 |work=BBC Sport |language=en-GB}}</ref> |- !Date !Match ! !Venue |- |3 May 2021 |[[Consett A.F.C.|Consett]] – [[Hebburn Town F.C.|Hebburn Town]] |2–3 |[[Wembley Stadium]] |}
== See also ==
* [[List of FIFA international referees|List of football referees]]
== References == <references />{{Premier League referees}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Salisbury, Michael}} [[Category:English football referees]] [[Category:1985 births]] [[Category:Living people]] [[Category:Premier League referees]] [[Category:People from Penwortham]]