The group representing referees has strongly denounced the “abhorrent” abuse directed at Anthony Taylor in Budapest.
Following Taylor’s controversial performance in the Europa League final, where he refereed the match between Sevilla and Roma, he and his family faced harassment from angry fans at Budapest Airport.
The referees’ group condemned the behavior as unacceptable and reprehensible. Videos circulating on social media captured the incident, showing Taylor and his family trying to navigate through the crowd.
In the match itself, Taylor issued a total of 13 yellow cards, with seven of them given to Roma players, and the game was frequently interrupted due to a high number of fouls.
A chair and a bottle were thrown in the direction of the referee and his group.
Taylor and his family were eventually led out of a cafe and into a secure area by airport security.
The English official was also targeted by Roma boss Jose Mourinho, who was seen gesticulating at Taylor and calling him a “disgrace” in a profanity-laced tirade in the stadium car park after the match.
Jose Mourinho to Anthony Taylor: “You’re a f**king disgrace!!!” 😳
— Sports Gist (@theSportsGist) June 1, 2023
(📷 via @tvdellosport)#SportsGist #unitedshowbiz Peter Drury | Mohammed Kudus | FIFA | Teshie | Vodafone | Anthony Taylor | #UELfinal pic.twitter.com/LYTP3nXVI3
Responding to the incident at the airport, the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) said in a statement: “PGMOL is aware of videos circulating on social media showing Anthony Taylor and his family being harassed and abused at Budapest Airport.
“We are appalled at the unjustified and abhorrent abuse directed at Anthony and his family as he tries to make his way home from refereeing the UEFA Europa League final.
“We will continue to provide our full support to Anthony and his family.”
Refsupport UK added: “This is so, so worrying to see and we hope Anthony and his family are ok.
“This is why we believe organisations like the LMA_Managers and the PFA as well as the WeAreTheFSA need to come out and condemn such behaviour in this country.
“Managers’ comments and players’ behaviour encourage this and it is on a worrying rise where a serious incident or murder is just around the corner.”
UEFA is awaiting Taylor’s report before deciding whether to take action against Mourinho for his rant.
Taylor booked Mourinho during the game, which finished 1-1 after extra time before Sevilla won on penalties.
It was Sevilla’s seventh Europa League triumph and the first European final defeat of Mourinho’s managerial career.