By Premier League referee Anthony Taylor has criticised the growing “expectation of perfection” surrounding match officials, revealing that his family no longer attends his games due to the abuse he receives.
Speaking publicly about the issue, Taylor opened up about the shocking incident in which he and his family were targeted by Roma fans at an airport following the 2023 Europa League final.
The 46-year-old admits the constant pressure and hostility sometimes make him question whether the job is worth it, though he still describes being a top-flight referee as “one of the best jobs in the world.”
Taylor, who has officiated in the Premier League for nearly 15 years, also took charge of matches at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, Euro 2020, and the finals of both the European Super Cup and the Nations League. He believes football’s “win-at-all-costs” mentality is damaging both the mental health and performance of referees at all levels.
“That’s the worst situation I’ve dealt with”
After Roma’s defeat to Sevilla on penalties in the 2023 Europa League final, Taylor was confronted by manager José Mourinho, who twice called him a “disgrace” in a press conference before approaching him again in a car park. Mourinho was later handed a four-match ban.
Taylor, who had booked 13 players and overseen more than 25 minutes of added time, was then subjected to abuse by angry fans while walking through Budapest Airport with his family.
“That’s the worst situation I’ve dealt with in terms of abuse,” Taylor said. “Not only because my family were with me, but because it showed how people’s behaviour can affect others. Even in that match, there were no major mistakes.”
He believes the backlash came from a desire to find someone to blame. “For me, that was a huge source of disappointment, frustration, and anger,” he added. “I don’t understand why that’s acceptable, those same people wouldn’t want anyone speaking to them or their children that way. “It makes you question whether you made a mistake taking your family with you. They haven’t been to a match since.”
When asked whether Mourinho’s actions may have influenced the fans’ behaviour, Taylor admitted: “If we’re being honest, yes.”
‘Win-at-all-costs culture is damaging referees’ mental health’
Premier League referee Anthony Taylor says the relentless pressure and “win-at-all-costs” culture in football are taking a toll on referees’ mental health. Taylor avoids social media, saying he doesn’t want to “waste time” reading negative comments or opinions. Last year, the Premier League investigated online abuse aimed at him.
“If you’re constantly told you’re not good enough, whether that’s by pundits, the media, or even former officials, it can affect your mental health,” he said. “The football culture today is all about winning at any cost.” He warned that false narratives and conspiracy theories shared after matches create “a hugely negative environment” for referees to work in.
Taylor also expressed concern for referees at grassroots level. “Every weekend, you can go to any park in the UK and see a parent shouting abuse at a young referee. That’s not an environment that helps anyone improve. I don’t understand how people think that’s acceptable.”
‘Scrutiny is fair, but it’s rarely balanced’
When asked if referees should expect heavy scrutiny given what’s at stake in matches, Taylor said: “I wouldn’t argue against scrutiny. It’s part of the job. ”However, he added that criticism often lacks perspective. “Everyone views football through the lens of their own team. The outcome of a season doesn’t depend on one referee’s decision, one missed penalty, or one tactical mistake. Over 38 games, many factors influence results.
“So, when people say one decision has cost a team their whole season, that’s just not true. There are plenty of other moments that have affected results.”
Taylor said constructive criticism is important but believes “it’s rarely balanced” and that “people don’t talk about the positives enough anymore.” The Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) supports referees’ mental wellbeing through a team of psychologists and works with the mental health charity Mind.
VAR and the ‘expectation of perfection’
Introduced in 2019, the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system has, according to Taylor, created unrealistic expectations for officials. “The level of scrutiny and debate around Premier League football means everyone now expects perfection,” he said. “But perfection doesn’t exist. Expecting referees to get every decision right is unrealistic. “If we don’t create the right environment for people to perform, they’ll become fearful of mistakes — and that fear affects performance and confidence in the long run.”
Taylor believes VAR has “completely changed” how referees are judged. “People thought it would fix every problem and create a perfect world they were way off the mark,” he said. “One week, fans say VAR is ruining the flow of the game. The next week, they complain it hasn’t intervened. People need to decide what they actually want. “We have to take a step back and think logically about what VAR is really for.”
