Michael Oliver reported to have given girlfriend Lucy May a lift in officials-only car after Chelsea beat Burnley in August

Incident comes on the heels of Mark Clattenburg's suspension

(Getty Images)

Premier League referee Michael Oliver is alleged to have given his girlfriend Lucy May a lift in the officials-only car after Chelsea beat Burnley on 18 August.

May, herself a referee, is reported to have got a lift with Mr Oliver after the 3-1 win at Turf Moor on the opening weekend of this season, according to the Daily Mail.

The news has emerged after Mark Clattenburg faced a one-match suspension over the weekend for travelling alone so he could see pop star Ed Sheeran in concert.

Officials are required by the Professional Game Match Officials Ltd (PGMO) to travel to and from games together for the purposes of security and integrity.

Oliver's girlfriend Lucy May, who is also a referee (The FA via Getty Images)

Clattenburg, for example, was reported to have spoken to Crystal Palace manager Neil Warnock after the controversial 2-2 draw with West Brom at The Hawthorns.

Oliver has been in the headlines this weekend after his handling of the Manchester derby. The referee failed to award City a penalty despite a couple of worthy shouts, while allowing Joe Hart to go unpunished after the goalkeeper seemingly squared up to him.

The PGMO refuse to comment on individual incidents. Oliver officiated a week after the alleged incident when Manchester City beat Liverpool 3-1 at the Etihad.