Anthony Taylor has stepped down from the FIFA referees’ list after 14 years, drawing bitter mockery from AS Roma supporters who still blame him for their 2023 Europa League final defeat. The 47-year-old ends his career as the longest-serving official in Premier League history, having spent 16 years in the English top flight.
Roma fans marked the announcement with a wave of online celebration, posting memes that suggested the retirement came “three years too late” and declaring they were “finally free.” The hostility traces back to Taylor’s handling of the 2023 final in Budapest, where Sevilla beat José Mourinho’s side in a contentious encounter.
Budapest Fallout
Then-Roma coach Mourinho launched a scathing attack on Taylor following the defeat, labelling the result “unjust” and remarking that “the referee seemed Spanish.” The Portuguese later confronted Taylor in the stadium car park, an incident that earned Mourinho a four-match ban from UEFA.
The tension escalated at Budapest airport, where Taylor and his family were recognised by Roma supporters. Officials provided a security cordon to protect them from threats. Recalling the episode, Taylor told the BBC: “That’s the worst situation I’ve dealt with in terms of abuse. Not only because I was travelling with family members at the time, but it also highlights the impact of people’s behaviour on others. Even in a match like that, where there was actually no major mistakes in the game.”
End of an Era
Despite Taylor’s insistence that he committed no significant errors during the final, Roma supporters have refused to forgive him. During his 14 years on the international list, Taylor officiated at two World Cup tournaments, establishing himself as one of England’s most prominent referees on the global stage. His retirement closes a 16-year chapter in the Premier League, though the controversy of Budapest looks set to linger in the memory of Italian football fans.