Promoted to the Premier League’s Select Group in 2010, Taylor retires as one of the most experienced and respected match officials in modern English football.
“Officiating at the elite level has been an immense privilege, but the pressure is intense and the scrutiny is constant. The time is now right to step aside and look forward to transitioning to the next chapter of my career.” — Anthony Taylor
Remarkable Career Highlights
- Total Matches Officiated: 831 professional games
- Premier League Appearances: 432 matches across 16 consecutive seasons
- Domestic Finals: Took charge of every major English cup final, including the 2017 and 2020 FA Cup Finals, the 2015 League Cup Final, the 2015 Community Shield, and the 2018 Championship Play-off Final
- International Career: 14 years as a FIFA-listed referee, officiating 163 international matches. Represented England at two FIFA World Cups (2022 and 2026) and two UEFA European Championships (2020 and 2024)
- European Showpieces: Officiated the 2020 UEFA Super Cup, 2021 UEFA Nations League Final, 2022 FIFA Club World Cup Final, and 2023 UEFA Europa League Final
Tributes Pour In
Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) Chief Refereeing Officer Howard Webb paid tribute, saying:
“Anthony has been a fantastic servant to the game over many years, both domestically and on the international stage. He has consistently demonstrated over a sustained period why he is one of the best and most successful officials that English football has ever produced.”
Anthony Taylor’s retirement marks the end of an era for English refereeing. His professionalism, consistency, and ability to handle high-pressure matches will be remembered for years to come.
Thank you for your service, Anthony Taylor. Wishing you all the best in the next chapter.