Anthony Taylor facing backlash as Prem launch investigation after record set (original) (raw)
Anthony Taylor's unwanted record and furious backlash amid Premier League investigation
Premier League referee Anthony Taylor has been taken off match duty for the upcoming round of fixtures with the Premier League investigating abuse of the official
Anthony Taylor booked 14 players during Bournemouth vs Chelsea
Anthony Taylor has been given a week off from Premier League refereeing duty after receiving vile abuse in the aftermath of last weekend's action.
Taylor was the man in the middle for Chelsea's 1-0 win at Bournemouth, handing out a league record 14 yellow cards to players. He also booked Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca and Bournemouth coach Pablo de la Torre, prompting a mixed reaction from Maresca and opposite number Andoni Iraola.
The 45-year-old ref has been subjected to vile abuse online following the match, including threats against his family. Amid reports that the league has mounted an investigation into the treatment, Taylor's responsibilities for the coming weekend have changed.
It wasn't the first time Taylor has found himself on the receiving end of abuse from fans, with Roma supporters attacking him at Budapest Airport following the 2023 Europa League final. The recent abuse has been online rather than in-person, but is still being taken very seriously by those in charge.
According to The Mail, the Premier League have begun looking into the abuse while Taylor gets a week on fourth official duty. The PGMOL is offering him support, while confirming he won't be in the middle for any match this weekend.
Instead, Taylor will be the fourth official for two separate matches. The first is Southampton vs Ipswich Town on Saturday, and the second is the Sunday fixture between Brighton and Nottingham Forest.
While the 14 cards shown by Taylor was a league record, it came as part of a weekend where a record number of cards were shown across the competition. After Sunday's fixtures, the total sat at 65 yellows and one red for players across the 10 fixtures., with Southampton defender Jack Stephens the one player sent off.
"I complained about a foul on Wesley Fofana which for me was quite clear but it can happen," Chelsea manager Maresca said of the card he was shown by Taylor. "Eight yellow cards [for Chelsea] probably because these sort of games are about duels and fight and this can happen.
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Taylor will not take charge of a Premier League match this weekend (
Image:
Getty Images)
"It is not a problem for me with this amount of yellow cards. It is what it is. Sometimes the game demands the way you have to behave," he continued. However, opposite number Iraola made a point of not commenting on the officiating.
After the aforementioned Roma incident in 2023, Taylor went on the High Performance Podcast to share his feelings about the abuse of officials. "Just more understanding and more empathy [is needed]," he said.
"So again, yes mistakes are made and we're far from perfect. Far from perfect. But there's many other facets that contribute to the result of a football match.
“And so maybe reflect. Before you start trying to blame an individual, maybe try and consider. Very difficult I appreciate objectively after a team's loss. Consider the things that go into what's been decided and try to understand why something has been done.”
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