Premier League and FIFA referee Anthony Taylor has announced his retirement from officiating with immediate effect, bringing an end to a distinguished 20-year career in professional football.
The 47-year-old’s final assignment came on July 6, when he took charge of Spain’s 1-0 victory over Portugal in the Round of 16 at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Taylor officiated 831 matches during his career, including 432 Premier League games, while also overseeing every major domestic cup final in English football.
Taylor ends distinguished officiating career
Before becoming a professional referee, Taylor worked as a prison officer. He joined the Football League referees’ list ahead of the 2006-07 season before earning promotion to the Premier League in 2010.
He later became one of FIFA’s elite officials, spending 14 years on the international list and refereeing 163 international matches, including the 2022 and 2026 FIFA World Cups, as well as UEFA Euro 2020 and Euro 2024.
Reflecting on his decision, Taylor said it was the right time to move on.
“Officiating at the elite level has been an immense privilege, but the pressure is intense and the scrutiny is constant,” Taylor said.
“The time is now right to step aside and look forward to transitioning to the next chapter of my career.”
Career filled with major finals
Taylor’s list of appointments included the 2015 EFL Cup final, two FA Cup finals in 2017 and 2020, the 2015 Community Shield and the 2018 Championship play-off final.
He also officiated several major UEFA fixtures, including the 2020 UEFA Super Cup, the 2021 UEFA Nations League final and the 2023 Europa League final.
Taylor was widely praised for his handling of Denmark’s Euro 2020 match against Finland after Christian Eriksen suffered a cardiac arrest on the pitch.
His career also included difficult moments. Following the 2023 Europa League final, former Roma manager Jose Mourinho labelled him “a disgrace” before confronting him after the match. Taylor and his family were later subjected to abuse from supporters at Budapest Airport.
“That’s the worst situation I’ve dealt with in terms of abuse,” Taylor told BBC Sport in 2025.
Howard Webb, chief refereeing officer at Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL), paid tribute to Taylor’s contribution to the game.
“Anthony has been a fantastic servant to the game over many years, both domestically and on the international stage,” Webb said.