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Anthony Taylor Says Airport Abuse Drove Family From Matches, Made Him Consider Quitting

The Premier League referee faults a culture of 'expectation of perfection' he associates with VAR-era scrutiny.

Overview

  • In a BBC interview, Taylor recounts being harassed by Roma fans at Budapest Airport after the 2023 Europa League final, with police intervening and at least one arrest reported.
  • He says his family have not attended a match since the incident and he now questions the decision to have traveled with them.
  • The referee admits the ordeal made him consider quitting officiating, though he remains active in the Premier League and still calls the role one of the best jobs.
  • Taylor says Jose Mourinho's post-match denunciations likely influenced the abusers, and UEFA later gave the manager a four-match ban for confronting him.
  • He argues VAR has fueled an unrealistic expectation of perfection, while noting the Premier League investigated online abuse against him and PGMOL provides mental health support.