Anthony Taylor, a highly-respected Premier League referee, will not be officiating any matches this weekend. This decision comes after he faced a torrent of online abuse following Chelsea’s 1-0 win at Bournemouth on Saturday. The controversy surrounding Taylor stems from his decision to issue a record-breaking 14 yellow cards during the match, eight of which were given to Chelsea players.
The Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL), the body responsible for referees in England, confirmed that Taylor will instead act as the fourth official for two matches this weekend. He will be present during Southampton’s clash with Ipswich on Saturday and Brighton & Hove Albion’s home game against Nottingham Forest on Sunday.
The PGMOL spokesperson, in a statement to Reuters, emphasized that the decision to remove Taylor from officiating duties was taken due to the unacceptable online abuse he received. The Premier League is currently investigating the matter, highlighting the seriousness of the situation.
This incident underscores the growing issue of online abuse targeting referees, particularly in the wake of high-profile decisions. The PGMOL’s action serves as a strong message against such behavior, aiming to protect the integrity of the sport and ensure the safety of match officials.
