Anthony Taylor’s Retirement Sparks Outpouring of Mockery from Roma Fans Still Furious over 2023 Europa League Final
The retirement of English referee Anthony Taylor has triggered a fresh wave of derision from AS Roma supporters, who continue to hold a grudge over his controversial officiating in the 2023 UEFA Europa League Final. Taylor, who today announced the end of his 14-year run on the FIFA list and a distinguished 16-year Premier League career, leaves behind a legacy punctuated by both acclaim and animosity—none more intense than in the Italian capital.
Taylor’s tenure as the longest-serving active Premier League referee included appointments at two FIFA World Cups, yet for Roma fans, his name is synonymous with heartbreak and outrage. The 2023 Europa League Final in Budapest, where Sevilla emerged victorious over Roma, remains a flashpoint. The match saw then-Roma boss José Mourinho openly lambast Taylor’s performance, declaring the defeat “unjust” and accusing the referee of bias, remarking that “the referee seemed Spanish.”
The fallout was explosive. Mourinho’s fury extended beyond the pitch: he confronted Taylor in the stadium car park, launching a tirade that ultimately resulted in a four-match UEFA suspension for the Portuguese manager. The atmosphere around Taylor became so charged that, as he and his family attempted to leave Budapest, Roma fans cornered them at the airport, forcing authorities to establish a security cordon for their protection.
Speaking to the BBC, Taylor reflected on the ordeal, recalling, “That’s the worst situation I’ve dealt with in terms of abuse. Not only because I was travelling with family members at the time, but it also highlights the impact of people’s behaviour on others. Even in a match like that, where there was actually no major mistakes in the game.”
Despite the passage of three years, the animosity from Roma’s fanbase shows no sign of abating. As news of Taylor’s retirement broke, social media erupted with memes and mocking messages. Some posts sardonically suggested his decision was “three years too late,” with others exclaiming they were “finally free.” One particularly striking meme drew a provocative historical parallel, featuring World War II soldiers reading headlines of Hitler’s death—an unmistakable signal of just how deep the resentment runs.
Taylor’s retirement closes a turbulent chapter, but for Roma’s passionate supporters, the wounds of Budapest 2023 remain as raw as ever.
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