Anthony Taylor Describes Mourinho’s Airport Ordeal and the Lingering Impact on His Family

Key Takeaways:

• Anthony Taylor disclosed his family have not attended a football match in two years following harassment at Budapest Airport after the 2023 Europa League final
• The referee attributed part of the subsequent abuse to Jose Mourinho’s public criticism after Roma’s defeat to Sevilla on penalties
• Taylor reflected on the immense strain and scrutiny facing top-flight officials, revealing the toll it has taken on mental health and family life

Referee Shares Details of Budapest Airport Incident and Aftermath

Premier League referee Anthony Taylor has stated that his family have not accompanied him to a football match for the past two years, following an incident of severe abuse after last season’s Europa League final in Budapest. Taylor, 46, oversaw the fiercely contested showdown where Sevilla triumphed over Roma on penalties, brandishing 15 yellow cards – including one to Roma manager Jose Mourinho – and ordering 25 minutes of added time. Despite not committing major officiating errors during the encounter, Taylor and his family became the target of hostility from frustrated Roma fans.

JOSE MOURINHO YELLS AT REFEREE ANTHONY TAYLOR AFTER EUROPA LEAGUE LOSS 🤬 "It's a f**king disgrace, man!" shouts Roma boss at English referee after shootout loss to Sevilla. Defeat was first ever for Mou in European final. (Via @tvdellosport)pic.twitter.com/Jc0LWxYGek

— Men in Blazers (@MenInBlazers) June 1, 2023

After the final, Mourinho publicly condemned Taylor’s performance, calling him a “f***ing disgrace” and directly confronting him in the stadium’s parking area. The situation escalated further when, whilst walking through Budapest Airport with his family, Taylor was subjected to menacing behaviour from upset Roma supporters. Law enforcement officers were compelled to shield Taylor’s family after a fan attempted to hurl a chair at them.

Mourinho’s Role and the Wider Impact on Officials

Discussing the traumatic incident for the first time publicly, Taylor acknowledged the profound effect it has had: “That’s the worst situation I’ve dealt with in terms of abuse.” He went on to suggest that Mourinho’s comments played a role in inciting the supporters’ conduct, saying, “Yeah. I think if we’re being honest, yeah,” when questioned about a potential link.

The repercussions have extended beyond that evening, with Taylor reflecting on his family’s continuing absence from football matches since the ordeal. He revealed that the incident had made him question the wisdom of travelling with them to games.

The Pressures of Elite-Level Refereeing

Taylor, now in his 17th season as a Premier League referee and with assignments at the last three major international tournaments and the Club World Cup, continues to describe officiating as “one of the best jobs in the world.” However, he admitted to BBC Sport that frequent scrutiny and relentless analysis surrounding top leagues can take a serious toll, particularly on mental health.

He commented: “The amount of scrutiny and the amount of analysis and chat around Premier League football means everybody has a quest for perfection… In reality, perfection doesn’t exist.” Taylor underlined the intense expectation placed on referees to deliver flawless performances, and highlighted the cumulative impact of constant public and media criticism. He warned that the propagation of negative narratives and conspiracy theories could create a toxic environment for officials.

Calls for Perspective and Support for Referees

Taylor emphasised that a football season’s outcome cannot be distilled to a single officiating decision, penalty miss, or tactical mistake, given the number of games played and variables at play across a campaign. He implored the footballing community to be mindful of the repercussions of their words and actions, noting the far-reaching effects on referees’ families and mental wellbeing.