▲ Referee Taylor sending off manager Paulo Bento
Anthony Taylor, the renowned English referee, has announced his retirement, bringing his 20-year career to an end.
Taylor released a statement regarding his retirement.
The Round of 16 match between Spain and Portugal at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, held on July 7, remains the final match of his career, marking his 831st game as an official.
In his statement, Taylor said, "It has been a massive privilege to referee at the elite level. However, the pressure is intense, and the scrutiny and the criticism were endless," adding, "It is now time to step away."
A former prison officer, he began his career as a professional referee in 2006 and was promoted to the Premier League in 2010, where he officiated 432 matches.
He was also included on the FIFA international referee list and served for 14 years, officiating 163 international matches.
He participated in the 2022 FIFA World Cup, the 2026 FIFA World Cup, UEFA Euro 2020, and UEFA Euro 2024.
One of the most notable moments in his career was during the Euro 2020 group stage match between Denmark and Finland, when he quickly stopped the game after Christian Eriksen suffered a cardiac arrest, allowing for timely emergency treatment.
He also faced difficult situations.
After refereeing the 2022-2023 UEFA Europa League final, he was subjected to verbal abuse from AS Roma manager Jose Mourinho, who called him a "disgrace" multiple times following the team's defeat.
Mourinho, who even confronted Taylor in the parking lot, was eventually handed a four-match touchline ban.
Taylor also had encounters with South Korean football.
He served as the referee for the second group stage match between South Korea and Ghana at the 2022 FIFA World Cup. The match became controversial when he blew the final whistle without allowing a corner kick just before the end of the game, which South Korea lost 3-2, and issued a red card to manager Paulo Bento for his protest.
In the Premier League, he also officiated matches involving Son Heung-min.
In December 2019, during a match between Tottenham, Son's team at the time, and Chelsea, he sent off Son.
The red card was issued following a VAR review, and Tottenham's appeal was subsequently rejected.
(Photo: Yonhap News)
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