Anthony Taylor admits he considered quitting refereeing as he addresses Chelsea v Liverpool decision

Anthony Taylor, one of England’s most experienced referees, has opened up about the mental and emotional toll of modern refereeing, revealing that there have been moments when he seriously considered walking away from the game. The Premier League official, who has been on FIFA’s elite list for more than a decade, confessed that relentless abuse and public scrutiny have made him question whether it’s all worth it.

In a heartfelt interview with BBC Sport, Taylor reflected on the darker side of football’s culture — one he described as “archaic” and deeply toxic toward referees. Despite being at the pinnacle of his profession, the 46-year-old says no amount of experience can shield match officials from the emotional strain that comes with being constantly targeted by fans, managers, and even players.

Taylor’s remarkable career includes refereeing two FA Cup finals (2017 and 2020) and representing England at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. However, it was the 2023 Europa League final between Sevilla and Roma in Budapest that left a deep scar. The fiery encounter, which saw Taylor hand out 13 yellow cards, ended with Roma fans ambushing him and his family at the airport. Video footage from the incident showed chairs and drinks being thrown as security rushed to protect them.

“That was definitely the worst situation I’ve ever faced,” Taylor admitted. “Not just because of the aggression, but because my family was with me. It makes you think twice about bringing them along again — and honestly, they haven’t attended a high-profile game since.”

The abuse didn’t end there. Even in the Premier League, Taylor remains a lightning rod for controversy. His recent decisions in Chelsea’s last-gasp 2-1 win over Liverpool reignited criticism from both fans and pundits. Many felt his officiating influenced the result — but Taylor insists the culture of intimidation towards referees is a problem far bigger than one game.

“We have this archaic psychological tactic of ‘let’s bombard the referee or the fourth official until we get our way,’” he said. “That attitude is still far too common, and it creates an environment that makes refereeing unbearable at times.”

Taylor also addressed his decision to send off Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca during the same fixture, after the Italian ran down the touchline to celebrate Estevão’s injury-time winner. “I wasn’t delighted to send him off,” Taylor explained. “But people forget every Premier League club agreed to the Participant Behaviour Charter two years ago. If you cross that line, there are consequences.”

Beyond the touchline drama, Taylor highlighted an even more serious moment — the racial abuse incident involving Liverpool’s Antoine Semenyo during their 4-2 victory over Bournemouth earlier this season. “We have strict protocols for dealing with those situations, but the focus has to be the player,” Taylor said. “It was crucial that Antoine felt heard and supported. I think, by the end of that night, he knew we took it seriously.”

Speaking ahead of World Mental Health Day, Taylor explained why he chose now to speak out. “Referees are human. We make mistakes, but we also carry the weight of decisions that can define careers. The abuse, the threats — it takes a toll. There are days you wonder if it’s really worth it.”

Despite everything, Taylor remains committed to his profession and hopes his openness will help change the culture around refereeing. “It’s about respect,” he said. “We talk a lot about protecting players’ mental health, and rightly so. But officials need that same protection. We’re part of the game too.”

His words echo a growing call within football for greater empathy and accountability — not just from referees, but from the fans, clubs, and institutions that shape the sport. Whether that change comes soon remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: Anthony Taylor’s courage to speak out has once again exposed the human cost behind football’s most scrutinized job.