After a distinguished 16-year career in the Premier League, Anthony Taylor has decided to retire from refereeing. The 47-year-old's final match was the World Cup round-of-16 clash between Portugal and Spain. Throughout his career, Taylor officiated 831 games in English, European, and international competitions, including 432 Premier League matches and every major domestic English cup final.
Taylor, who served on the FIFA international list for 14 years, cited the 'intense' pressure and 'constant' scrutiny he faced as factors in his decision to retire. He expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to officiate at the elite level, stating, 'The time is now right to step aside and look forward to transitioning to the next chapter of my career.' Taylor's retirement comes after he faced intense criticism and abuse, including a notable incident at Budapest Airport in 2023.
Despite having no set retirement age for referees in the Premier League, Taylor has chosen to retire, paving the way for a new chapter in his career.