“Anthony Taylor’s Premier League referee criticized the culture of “expectation of excellence” to which judges are subject to, and says that his family no longer walks in his match because of the images he experiences.”, – WRITE: Football.ua
Anthony Taylor’s Premier League referee criticized the culture of “expectation of excellence” to which judges are subject to, and says that his family no longer walks in his match because of the images he experiences.
The 46-year-old referee says that he is so worried about judges that there are times when he thinks, “Is it worth it?” However, he also says that being a high -ranking official is one of the best works in the world.
Taylor has been a Judge of the Premier League for almost 15 years, judged the matches of the World Cup in Qatar in 2022, the last two European Championships and controlled the finals of the European Super Cup and the League of Nations. He believes that the football approach “Victory at any cost” adversely affects the mental health and work of current and future judges.
Taylor collided with the head coach of Roma Jose Mourinho after his team lost the Europa League finals in 2023, Seville on a penalty. Mourinho called Taylor twice “shame” at a post -match press conference before encountering him in the parking lot – an incident for which the Portuguese received a four -year disqualification. Then angry fans shouted at Taylor as he walked the Budapest Airport with his family.
“This is the worst situation I have encountered in terms of ill -treatment,” he says. “Not only because I traveled with family members then, but also because it emphasizes the impact of people’s behavior on others. Even in a match where there were no serious mistakes in the game.”
Taylor felt that after the match there was an attempt to “switch attention to someone guilty.”
He adds, “It is a great source of disappointment for me. Why it is acceptable, I don’t know, because I am sure that these people would not like someone to turn and tell them or their own children. It makes you think about whether you are missing with your family. [матчі].
When asked if he believes that Mourinho’s behavior could influence the fans who offended him, he replies: “Yes. To be honest, I think, yes.”
Taylor does not use social networks because he does not want to “spend time” on reading negative comments or thoughts.
Last year, the Premier League launched an investigation after online-shaped cases aimed at the judge.
“If you are constantly told that you are not working well, whether people with media, experts or even former officials, the mental health of people can potentially suffer,” he says. “Football culture is generally this: we need to win this match at any cost. What people go after playing, using many things to spread false narratives, spread the malicious theories of conspiracy … This creates an extremely negative environment for people’s activities.”
Taylor also worries the attitude towards judges in mass football.
“Every weekend you can go to any local park all over the United Kingdom and see how parents verbally insult a young judge on the side line,” he says. “This environment does not contribute to the recovery of people. I do not understand how people find it acceptable.”
The Video Aparter (VAR) system was introduced in the Premier League in 2019.
Taylor believes that this has created unrealistic expectations.
“The amount of attention, analysis and conversations around the Premier League football means that everyone seeks perfection,” he says. “In fact, there is no perfection. We expect that judges will make every decision correctly. It is very important that we start saying that people are afraid of failure or mistakes. We must admit that if we do not create the proper environment for the prosperity of people, then people will be afraid, and it will have a negative impact on individuals.”
Taylor says Var “completely changed” the level of control.
“It has brought the expectation of perfection that it will solve the problem of absolutely everyone, and it will be a utopia,” he adds. In fact, people were completely wrong. One week people will say, “We do not want Var to be too specialized.” Next week they will ask, “How did Var not interfere with that?”
Taylor was one of the judges at the US World Cup in the summer, when several matches were held in the face of high heat.
He says the conditions were “a completely different level than those you are usually used to.”
Chelsea Enzo Maresska’s manager said it was impossible to carry out normal training during the tournament, while the midfielder Enzo Fernandez said he had felt dizziness while playing in a very dangerous heat.
It was absolutely cruel, “Taylor says.
“The conditions were truly complex.”
Taylor spends his 17th season as the Prime League referee.
“When it comes to this, it is one of the best works in the world,” he says. “You are in the heart of the events in the most interesting league of the world.”
When asked how long he can perform his duties, Taylor replies: to be honest, I don’t know. ”
“I will turn 47 next week, so it’s a pretty old age for someone who works at that level runs for people much younger than you.”
“All attention is focused on working next year at the World Cup in America,” the judge summed up.
Previously, the former referee revealed the secrets of the UEFA Judicial Brigade.