FIFA referee Anthony Taylor has announced his retirement after a distinguished career that lasted 20 years and included 831 matches.
The 47-year-old official from Manchester officiated 668 professional domestic games, including every major domestic cup final.
After being promoted to the Premier League in 2010, Taylor officiated at four major tournaments: the 2022 and 2026 World Cups, as well as the 2020 and 2024 European Championships.
He handled 163 international matches, with his last game being this month’s World Cup round of 16 match between Portugal and Spain.
“Being part of elite officiating has been an incredible privilege, but the pressure is tremendous and the scrutiny is relentless,” Taylor shared on the official England Football website.
“I believe the time has come to step away and look forward to the next chapter in my career.”
Taylor officiated a total of 831 matches in his career (John Walton/PA Wire)
“I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to my two assistants, Gary (Beswick) and Adam (Nunn), my fellow referees, and everyone involved in the game for their support throughout the years,” he added.
“Most importantly, I want to express my gratitude to my family and friends for their unwavering support during the significant sacrifices this career has required.”
Howard Webb, Chief Refereeing Officer at Pro Ref, commented: “Anthony has been an exceptional servant to the game for many years, both nationally and internationally.
“He has consistently shown why he is among the best and most successful officials English football has ever produced. It’s not just his on-field accomplishments that make him a role model, but also his professionalism and support for his colleagues and the next generation of officials aiming to follow in his footsteps.”
Taylor has previously revealed there were times he considered quitting due to the constant barrage of abuse he faced, stating his family no longer attended high-profile matches after he was harassed by Roma fans at an airport in 2023.
Following a contentious match at Puskas Arena – with Sevilla defeating Roma, then managed by Jose Mourinho, after a penalty shootout – Taylor, who issued 13 yellow cards during the game, was confronted by angry fans at the airport as he headed home.
In an interview with BBC Sport, Taylor reflected on the outdated culture that he feels surrounds the game.
“There have certainly been moments – and I know I’m not the only one – where I’ve thought, ‘Is it worth it?’” he noted.
“And there have definitely been times when I thought, ‘What’s being said is completely unfair’.”
Taylor added, “We have this archaic psychological tactic of trying to bombard the referee or the fourth official in hopes of influencing a decision.”