Anthony Taylor Urges Fans to Stop Expecting Perfection from Referees
Premier League referee Anthony Taylor has called on football fans to ease the pressure on match officials, saying the demand for perfection is damaging both the sport and the people behind the whistle.
In a candid chat with BBC Sport, the experienced referee opened up about the toll that constant criticism has taken on his personal life. He revealed that his family no longer attends his games because of the abuse he receives — a reality that often leaves him wondering if his job is truly worth it.
“There are moments when you think, ‘Is it all worth it?’” Taylor admitted. “But when it comes down to it, it’s one of the best jobs in the world. You’re right in the centre of the action in the most exciting league in the world.”
Having officiated in the Premier League for nearly 15 years, Taylor has been part of football’s biggest stages — from the World Cup in Qatar to the UEFA Super Cup and Nations League finals. Yet, despite his vast experience, he believes the game has become increasingly unforgiving.
According to Taylor, modern football’s obsession with winning at all costs has created a toxic environment where referees are treated like machines rather than humans.
VAR and the Illusion of Perfection
Taylor believes that the introduction of the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) has only made things worse. Since its arrival in 2019, he says, expectations have soared to unrealistic levels.
“The scrutiny around Premier League football means everyone is chasing perfection,” he explained. “But perfection doesn’t exist. If referees are afraid to make mistakes, it eventually affects performance.”
He added that VAR has “completely changed” how officials are viewed:
“It brought this belief that it would solve every problem, but that’s far from the truth. One week fans say VAR is overanalyzing, and the next week they’re asking why it didn’t step in. People need to decide what they really want.”
The Roma Incident and Its Aftermath
Taylor also spoke about one of the most painful moments in his career — the 2023 Europa League final between Roma and Sevilla. The match, which ended in a penalty shootout, saw him issue 13 yellow cards and endure public criticism from Roma’s then-coach, José Mourinho, who called him a “disgrace” and later confronted him in a car park.
Days later, Taylor and his family were harassed by Roma fans at Budapest Airport, a moment he described as “the worst situation” he has ever faced.
“It wasn’t just the abuse,” he said quietly. “It was the fact that I had family members with me. It shows how easily people’s behaviour can cross the line. Even in that match, there were no major mistakes.”
Since that incident, Taylor’s family has stopped attending his matches. “You start asking yourself whether it was a mistake bringing them at all,” he admitted.
When asked if Mourinho’s public comments influenced the fans’ actions, Taylor didn’t hesitate: “Yeah, if we’re being honest — yeah.”
Looking Ahead
Now approaching his 17th season in the Premier League, Taylor admits that he’s uncertain how long he can keep going at this level.
“I’m 47 next week,” he said with a smile. “That’s quite old for someone running after players half your age. Right now, my focus is on helping ensure we have two strong refereeing teams ready for the World Cup in America next year.”
Despite the challenges, Taylor remains proud of his role in the game — one that, though often thankless, is vital to keeping football alive and fair.
