
Anthony Taylor: “Stop Expecting Perfection from Referees”
Anthony Taylor Calls for Fairer Treatment of Referees
Premier League referee Anthony Taylor has spoken out passionately against what he calls the “expectation of perfection” in modern football, warning it is damaging referees’ mental health and distorting the spirit of the game.
In a candid interview with BBC Sport, the 46-year-old official opened up about personal and professional struggles, including abuse from fans, pressure created by VAR, and the win-at-all-costs culture dominating football.
‘The Worst Abuse I’ve Faced’
Taylor recalled the 2023 Europa League final as a low point, where he and his family were targeted by angry Roma fans at Budapest Airport. The abuse came after Roma’s Jose Mourinho criticised his officiating and later confronted him in a car park, resulting in a four-match ban for the Portuguese coach.
“That’s the worst situation I’ve dealt with in terms of abuse,” Taylor said.
“It made me question whether bringing my family was a mistake. They haven’t come to a game since.”
Mental Health in the Spotlight
Taylor, who has refereed World Cup, Euros, Super Cup, and Nations League matches, warned that constant negative scrutiny—from media, pundits, and fans—is taking a toll.
“People’s mental health can suffer when they’re constantly told they’re not good enough,” he said.
“Football’s culture today is ‘win at all costs’. People now spread false narratives and conspiracy theories to shift blame, and that creates a toxic environment.”
He added that even grassroots referees face verbal abuse every weekend from parents on the sidelines, calling it “unacceptable.”
VAR and the Myth of Perfection
Introduced to the Premier League in 2019, VAR was meant to assist officials—but Taylor believes it has led to unrealistic expectations.
“People expected a utopia where every decision would be right. But that’s not possible.
One week, fans say ‘don’t overuse VAR’; next week they demand VAR intervene in everything.
We need consistency—not contradiction.”
Taylor emphasised that perfection does not exist, and that fear of mistakes could ultimately harm performance.
‘Brutal’ Heat at Club World Cup
Taylor also officiated at the Club World Cup in the U.S. this summer, where he said extreme heat conditions pushed referees and players to their limits.
“It was absolutely brutal. We prepared in environmental chambers before travelling.
But the heat was like nothing we’re used to.”
The conditions have raised concerns ahead of the 2026 World Cup, set to take place across North America.
On Retirement and the Future
Taylor, who turns 47 next week, admitted the physical demands of officiating in the Premier League are growing:
“I don’t know how much longer I’ll go. But the focus now is to get two refereeing teams to next summer’s World Cup.”
Despite the challenges, Taylor still believes he has “the best job in the world.”
“You’re at the heart of the action in the most exciting league on the planet.”
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