Veteran Premier League referee Anthony Taylor has announced he will retire from top-flight officiating following the FIFA World Cup, bringing an end to a 16-year career at the highest level of English football.
The 47-year-old oversaw 831 matches across domestic, European and international competitions, with his final assignment being the FIFA World Cup Round of 16 clash between Portugal and eventual champions Spain.
During his domestic career, Taylor officiated 432 Premier League matches and took charge of every major English cup final, including the 2017 and 2020 FA Cup finals as well as the 2025 League Cup final.
He also spent 14 years on the FIFA International Referees List and was selected to officiate at both the 2022 and 2026 FIFA World Cups.
Taylor said his decision to retire was influenced by the intense pressure and constant scrutiny that comes with officiating at the highest level.
The referee has faced several high-profile controversies during his career. In 2023, Roma supporters confronted him at Budapest Airport after he was heavily criticised by then-manager Jose Mourinho following a European final.
Last year, Taylor revealed that the expectation of perfection placed on referees had become so intense that his family no longer attended matches he officiated.
In a statement released through refereeing body Pro Ref, Taylor said: “It has been a tremendous honor to officiate at the highest level, but it comes with immense pressure, and the scrutiny never ceases. It’s time to step aside and look forward to a new chapter in my career.”
