06 June 2023 , 13:56
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UEFA are not unhappy with Anthony Taylor for his performance in the Europa League final - after receiving backlash from the Roma supporters following the full-time whistle.
Taylor, 44, was labelled a "f****** disgrace" by Roma boss Jose Mourinho in the car park of the Puskas Arena, having lost on penalties to Spanish side Sevilla. Mourinho felt aggrieved after being denied a penalty in the second half with the scores at 1-1 - before his side eventually lost on penalties.
A day later, Taylor continued to face abuse when a group of Roma fans, likely egged on by Mourinho's outburst, spotted him at the airport in Budapest, Hungary. Their supporters blasted the Premier League referee, who had to be protected by police as he made his way through to a safe area.
However, according to ESPN, UEFA will not investigate Taylor's performance and were quite content by showing in the final. Reports in Italy claimed his display will be looked at by Europe's governing body. But Sources have told ESPN this is untrue, and there is no suggestion he will no longer be considered for big games.
This also comes after the PGMOL released this statement last week. "PGMOL is aware of videos circulating on social media showing Anthony Taylor and his family being harassed and abused at Budapest Airport.
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"We are appalled at the unjustified and abhorrent abuse directed at Anthony and his family as he tries to make his way home from refereeing the UEFA Europa League final. We will continue to provide our full support to Anthony and his family."
Jose Mourinho was unhappy with Anthony TaylorIt was indeed an intense match, with Sevilla being shown five yellow cards themselves as the Spanish side were crowned Europa League champions once again. But Taylor, a highly-rated official by UEFA, was praised by former Premier League referee Mark Halsey for his 'exceptional' performance.
"You can't condone the actions of Jose Mourinho, the Roma players and the Sevilla players," Halsey began when speaking to talkSPORT. "I think their behaviour was absolutely appalling. That's going around the world and young children are seeing these babies, the way they act and surround the referee – it was impossible for Anthony Taylor to control.
"I really thought the [refereeing] team did exceptionally well to keep 22 players on the field of play and Anthony refereed the game exceptionally well under extreme pressure from players and team officials. It's difficult in that situation because if you start handing out early yellow cards and sending players off, people will say the referee has ruined the game.
"Referees do not want to send players off, they can only referee to the way players behave, and their behaviour was appalling. They knew what they were doing, Anthony was aware of it and it makes it so difficult for a referee to control a game like that. I felt really sorry for him. You cannot blame the officials, it's solely down to the players and the coaches.
"I really do hope UEFA charge both clubs, they have to, otherwise it'll just continue."