Adedokun Waliyu 
Veteran Premier League and FIFA referee Anthony Taylor has announced his retirement from professional officiating, bringing an end to a distinguished 20-year career during which he officiated 831 matches.
The 47-year-old handled 432 Premier League matches and concluded his refereeing career by taking charge of Spain’s 1-0 victory over Portugal in the 2026 FIFA World Cup earlier this month.
Taylor was promoted to the Premier League referees’ list in 2010 and went on to officiate at the 2022 and 2026 FIFA World Cups, as well as the UEFA European Championships in 2020 and 2024.
Throughout his career, Taylor earned praise for his professionalism, particularly during the Euro 2020 match between Denmark and Finland, which was suspended after Danish midfielder Christian Eriksen suffered a cardiac arrest on the pitch.
However, his career was not without controversy. In 2023, then-Roma manager José Mourinho labelled him “a disgrace” after Roma’s Europa League final defeat to Sevilla. Mourinho later confronted Taylor in a car park, while the referee and his family were also subjected to abuse from Roma supporters at Budapest Airport.
Explaining his decision to retire, Taylor said the growing pressure and constant public scrutiny of elite referees influenced his decision.
“Officiating at the elite level has been an immense privilege, but the pressure is intense and the scrutiny is constant.
“The time is now right to step aside and look forward to transitioning to the next chapter of my career.
“I want to thank my family and friends for their unwavering support throughout the immense sacrifices this career has demanded.”
Taylor leaves the game as one of England’s most experienced and respected referees, having officiated in major domestic and international competitions over two decades.
