Referee in the Spotlight: Taylor, Mourinho, and the Never-Ending VAR Debate
10 October 2025
Referee in the spotlight: Taylor on pressure, perfection, and the fans
English referee Anthony Taylor has publicly criticized the culture of ‘perfect expectations’ that surrounds officiating, noting that it has driven his own family away from attending matches because of abuse.
In a BBC interview, the 46-year-old opens up about the harassment he faced from Roma fans while passing through a Budapest airport with his family after the 2023 Europa League final.
Taylor, who has officiated in the Premier League for around 15 years, has taken charge at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, the last two European Championship finals, and major European finals including the UEFA Super Cup and the Nations League final.
He argues that the win-at-any-cost mentality dominating modern football harms the mental health and performance of referees, players, and managers alike.
He revisits the tense aftermath of the Europa League final in 2023 when Mourinho, then Roma’s coach, accused him of “shame” twice, and the confrontations that followed, which led to a four-match suspension for the Portuguese coach.
During a separate airport confrontation in Budapest, Taylor says the abuse was the worst he has ever endured, not just because he was traveling with family but because it underscored how public behavior can hurt others.
Asked whether Mourinho’s conduct might have influenced the fans’ behaviour, Taylor acknowledges that, if we’re honest, some of it can be traced back to such high-profile moments.
He also notes that he does not use social media, choosing to avoid the constant online commentary that fans, pundits, and sometimes ex-officials flood onto feeds—especially when it turns hostile.
Last year, the Premier League launched an inquiry into online abuse directed at him; Taylor says sustained negativity can harm anyone’s mental health, even if it comes in the form of a clever tweet.
He adds that football’s culture today leans toward sensationalism: the belief that every decision must be perfect, with critics always ready to assign blame. He stresses that this is neither realistic nor healthy.
To support referees’ well-being, the English system now employs psychologists within the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) and collaborates with the Mind charity to provide ongoing guidance and resources.
Regarding VAR, Taylor concedes that its introduction in 2019 has amplified scrutiny. He argues that the obsession with perfection is misguided and that no one will ever eliminate all errors.
He urges a balanced approach to criticism and acknowledges the need for ongoing training and support, rather than a culture that punishes mistakes harshly or stifles referees’ confidence.
In the summer, Taylor also served as a referee at the FIFA Club World Cup in the United States, where the heat and humidity tested the officials’ endurance. He says preparation in heat chambers helped, but conditions were still punishing.
With the next World Cup slated for North America, he stresses the importance of physical and mental readiness to cope with rigorous schedules and challenging environments.
VAR and the road to a healthier officiating culture
Ultimately, Taylor remains hopeful that technology and accountability can coexist with a healthier, more respectful atmosphere around refereeing, even as debates about VAR continue to spark controversy.
Two light notes to end on: If perfection existed in football, VAR would be undefeated. And a referee’s best joke after a long match? That the only offside was the line between patience and humor in the crowd.
