Referee Anthony Taylor has announced his immediate retirement from professional football, concluding a 20-year career marked by officiating at the highest domestic and international levels. The 47-year-old cited the "intense pressure" and "constant scrutiny" as factors in his decision to step aside.
Taylor's final match was the World Cup Round of 16 game between Spain and Portugal on July 6. Over his two decades as a referee, he officiated 831 matches. He was first added to the Football League list at the start of the 2006-07 season and was promoted to the Premier League in 2010, where he oversaw 432 top-flight games. His tenure included officiating every major domestic cup final and 163 international matches. Taylor was also on FIFA's list of officials for 14 years and was selected for the 2020 and 2024 European Championships, as well as the 2022 World Cup.
During his career, Taylor was a notable figure in English football and on the international stage. He was shortlisted to referee the 2022 World Cup final but was reportedly not selected due to political tensions between England and finalists Argentina. His transition from a prison officer to a professional referee began in the early 2000s.
Howard Webb, chief refereeing officer at Pro Ref, praised Taylor's contributions, stating, "Anthony has been a fantastic servant to the game over many years, both domestically and on the international stage. He has been repeatedly trusted to officiate in the biggest games including Portugal against Spain in this summer's World Cup which ultimately capped off an outstanding career."