Referee Anthony Taylor has revealed that he has seriously considered quitting refereeing due to the constant harassment and abuse he has suffered, especially after the incident at the airport following the 2023 Europa League final.
In an interview, Taylor reflected on the “archaic” culture that, in his opinion, surrounds football. The English referee, with a distinguished career that includes two FA Cup finals and his participation in the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, was the subject of criticism after the match between Sevilla and Roma in Budapest.
After a tense match at the Puskas Arena, where Sevilla defeated Roma in a penalty shootout, Taylor was accosted by fans at the airport. This incident, which included the throwing of objects towards the referee and his family, has had a profound impact on his personal life.
Taylor, who showed 13 yellow cards during the match, has expressed that he and other officials have become easy targets for criticism.
Certainly, there have been times when you wonder: Is it worth it?
Anthony Taylor
The referee has admitted that there have been times when he has considered quitting refereeing due to the pressure and unfair treatment. Taylor also commented on the tactic of “bombarding” the referee in the hope of influencing decisions.
The incident at Budapest airport, where Roma fans harassed Taylor and his family, has led to his loved ones no longer attending important matches.
Taylor described this incident as the worst situation of abuse she has faced, highlighting the impact of people’s behavior on others.
After the incident, Taylor’s family has stopped attending high-profile matches.
