Referee Anthony Taylor escorted by airport police past angry Roma crowd after Europa League final
Roma fans were filmed hurling verbal abuse and objects at the 44-year-old England official and his family after he oversaw the Italian club’s defeat by Sevilla on penalties.
Eight yellow cards were handed out to Giallorossi’s players and staff, including coach Jose Mourinho, during a game that was protracted by injury stoppages and spirit.
Mourinho was seen berating Taylor in the car park after Wednesday night’s game, in footage that went viral on social media.
The 60-year-old said after the game: “It was an intense, lively game with a referee who seemed Spanish.” It was yellow, yellow, yellow the whole time.”
Roma director Tiago Pinto echoed Mourinho’s sentiment by questioning Taylor’s ‘balance’.
“We at AS Roma don’t want to doubt the merits of Sevilla. We believe we played a great final with our opponents, acknowledging the spotlight that UEFA gave us,” he told ANSA news agency.
“We are not used to commenting on such situations in the heat of the moment, but today we have analyzed both the most obvious and the less obvious incidents and it is clear that the administration has not been balanced in terms of disciplinary action.”
British referee organization PGMOL released a statement on Thursday evening pledged its support to Premier League referee Taylor and his family.
A statement said: “PGMOL is aware of videos circulating on social media showing Anthony Taylor and his family being harassed and abused at Budapest Airport.
“We are appalled by the unjustified and despicable abuse of Anthony and his family as he tries to get home from the UEFA Europa League final referee.
“We will continue to give Anthony and his family our full support.”
https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/anthony-taylor-europa-league-final-roma-b1085120.html Referee Anthony Taylor escorted by airport police past angry Roma crowd after Europa League final
