Premier League referee Anthony Taylor has honestly discussed how his run-in with Jose Mourinho in 2023 changed his perspective of safety and his life.
Having officiated at the top levels of world football, the English official disclosed that he has now ceased to travel with his family following a terrorizing incident that came about following Roma and Sevilla’s Europa League final.
After Roma lost to Sevilla on penalties in that game, Mourinho launched a merciless criticism of Taylor’s officiating, labeling him a “disgrace” in his post-match meeting.
Later, the Portuguese coach challenged Taylor in a car park, an event that caused fury and resulted in a deluge of insults from irate Roma followers. Videos came out showing Taylor and his family being bothered at Budapest Airport, so security had to step in.
Speaking to BBC Sport, Taylor characterized it as the lowest point of his officiating career. He confessed the event left him shaken not only because he worried about his safety but also because his loved ones were directly impacted.
He said the show got him to question if the risk associated with bringing family members to games was warranted.
Taylor’s experience mirrors a larger issue in modern football: a society where supporters, coaches, and sometimes even refs are under attack. Experts for the least seen errors.
The increasing hate of officials, which social media and post-match comments have helped to intensify, has produced circumstances where referees are under great psychological and emotional duress.
Taylor said that the “blame culture” in football has gone to alarming extremes, with coaches and players occasionally goading fury that spirals out of hand.
He wondered why such conduct is tolerated, pointing out that many people who distribute hatred on the internet would never tolerate comparable abuse targeted at themselves or their kids.
He also noted the emotional toll on referees’ mental health, noting that ongoing criticism from supporters, analysts, and ex-officials can be harmful.
Taylor stays enthused about officiating despite the difficulties. Having worked UEFA Super Cups, World Cups, and European Championships, he is now in his 17th season as a Premier League official.
He insists that criticism should be impartial and balanced even though he believes it’s part of the job. He said, encouraging fans to value the complexity and accuracy needed in modern officiating, “People forget that football is decided by many moments; one decision does not define a season.”
Taylor admits that while the repercussions of his fight with Mourinho still linger, he still loves being in the thick of the action in what he calls “the most exciting league in the world.” He intends to officiate at the 2026 World Cup in Mexico, Canada, and the United States and will continue refereeing as long as he is physically able.
Taylor’s resiliency demonstrates an unusual degree of professionalism in the face of abuse and public attention. His experience is a reminder as well as a warning: though passion fuels football, that emotion should never cross into hatred against those who make the game feasible.
