'After the dispute with Mourinho, my family faced trouble'

Top Premier League referee Anthony Taylor confessed he had thought about leaving the profession after his family was assaulted at Budapest airport after the 2023 Europa League final.

Anthony Taylor, one of the Premier League’s finest referees, recently shared a terrifying experience that made him contemplate ending his career. After the 2023 Europa League final between Roma and Sevilla, Taylor and his family were surrounded by a crowd of Roma fans at Budapest airport, who shouted, threw objects, and continuously insulted them. “This was definitely the worst abuse I have ever endured,” Taylor told the British media, deeply reflecting on the impact of fan behavior on those around them.

Earlier, Roma coach Jose Mourinho confronted Taylor in the Puskas Arena parking lot, calling him “a disaster” because of the referee’s decisions during the match. Taylor emphasized that he “did not make any major mistakes” but still faced pressure from both the coach and the fans. The chaotic scene at the airport made him reconsider bringing his family to big matches: “It makes you question whether it’s worth bringing your family along. They only attend big finals like the one in Budapest, which should have been a normal night, but ended up being a disappointing experience.”

Taylor pointed out that football still harbors a “win at all costs” culture, where referees and young players often become targets of verbal abuse. “In football, every weekend you can see parents shouting at young referees. There’s a mindset of ‘winning at any cost’ without caring about the consequences beyond the game,” he shared. The Premier League referee stressed the need to change this culture to make football a more positive environment for everyone, from top-level matches to grassroots football.

The incident involving Anthony Taylor at the 2023 Europa League serves as a reminder of the immense pressure referees face whenever they officiate major games. He also revealed how he protects his mental well-being against such attacks: “I believe that often the harsh words or actions directed at me are not genuine. They are just psychological tactics meant to apply pressure. So, I try to learn to take things lightly, even find it amusing, rather than letting it affect me personally.”

In the context of European football facing increasing pressure from results, Taylor’s story raises a question for the community: Should the pressure and abuse toward referees be more strictly controlled to protect these key figures on the pitch?