Veteran Premier League referee Anthony Taylor has confirmed he will retire from officiating after bringing an end to a career that spanned more than 20 years and 831 matches
The 47-year-old’s final assignment was the FIFA World Cup Round of 16 clash between Spain and Portugal, which Spain won 1-0 thanks to Mikel Merino’s stoppage-time winner before eventually lifting the trophy.
Taylor spent 16 seasons officiating in the Premier League, overseeing 432 top-flight matches. He also refereed the 2024 UEFA Champions League final between Borussia Dortmund and Real Madrid.
Reflecting on his decision, Taylor said officiating at the highest level had been a privilege despite the constant pressure and scrutiny.
“Officiating at the elite level has been an immense privilege, but the pressure is intense and the scrutiny is constant. The time is now right to step aside and look forward to transitioning to the next chapter of my career.
“I want to express my deepest gratitude to my two assistants Gary and Adam, my refereeing colleagues and everyone connected with the game for all their support over the years. Most importantly, I want to thank my family and friends for their unwavering support throughout the immense sacrifices this career has demanded,” he said.
During his distinguished career, Taylor officiated at the 2022 and 2026 FIFA World Cups, as well as the UEFA European Championships in 2020 and 2024.
His résumé also includes the 2015 League Cup final, the 2017 and 2020 FA Cup finals, and the 2018 Championship play-off final.
Follow Us on Facebook – @LadunLiadi; Instagram – @LadunLiadi; Twitter – @LadunLiadi; Youtube – @LadunLiadiTV for updates
