Premier League referee Anthony Taylor retires, cites pressure and scrutiny

Anthony Taylor retired from elite refereeing on 21 July 2026 after 22 years and 831 matches. The 47-year-old, who officiated every major English domestic cup final and the 2026 World Cup, said pressure and scrutiny drove the decision. He described fear of mistakes and external opinion from spectators, managers, media and colleagues feeding self-doubt among referees.