'We are appalled' - PGMOL speak out against Roma fans' 'abhorrent' abuse of referee Anthony Taylor in airport
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Updated 02/06/2023 at 08:05 GMT
Anthony Taylor and his family were at the centre of concerning scenes in Budapest Airport on Thursday when they were targeted by abuse from Roma fans in the wake of the Europa League final. The English referee officiated a penalty shoot-out defeat for the Italian club against Sevilla, after which Roma coach Jose Mourinho called Taylor a "disgrace". The PGMOL says it was "appalled" by events.
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Refereeing body the PGMOL says it was “appalled” by videos showing Anthony Taylor being harassed by Roma fans at Budapest Airport following the Europa League final.
Taylor was the referee for Wednesday’s game, which Sevilla won on penalties following a 1-1 draw.
Roma coach Jose Mourinho was vocal in his complaints about the officiating afterwards and he was even caught on camera insulting the Englishman and calling him a “disgrace” in the car park at the Puskas Arena.
On Thursday, Taylor and his family were recognised by Roma fans in Budapest Airport and received torrents of abuse from Roma supporters.
"PGMOL is aware of videos circulating on social media showing Anthony Taylor and his family being harassed and abused at Budapest Airport,” said a Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) statement.
"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 Europa League final. We will continue to provide our full support to Anthony and his family."
Taylor faced a difficult task in Budapest as he dished out 14 yellow cards to players, unused substitutes and coaches in a fraught final that required 25 minutes of added time.
UEFA is reportedly waiting to receive reports from the match officials before deciding whether to punish Mourinho for his post-match behaviour.
Charity Ref Support UK also spoke out against the Roma coach and blamed him for the scenes at Budapest Airport.
“This is so, so worrying to see and we hope Anthony and his family are ok,” they wrote on Twitter, alongside a video of Taylor and his family receiving abuse.
“This is why we believe organisations like the League Managers Association (LMA) and the Professional Footballers Association (PFA) as well as the Football Supporters’ Association (FSA) need to come out and condemn such behaviour in this country.
“Managers’ comments and players’ behaviour encourage this and it is on a worrying rise where a serious incident or murder is just around the corner.”
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