Premier League referee surprises everyone by announcing retirement in a statement
Premier League referee Anthony Taylor has announced he’s retiring just days after taking part in the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
At 47, Taylor is wrapping up a 20-year career during which he refereed 831 matches and became one of the most respected officials in football.
The Manchester native recently officiated two World Cup games: a group stage match between Senegal and Iraq, and Spain’s round of 16 win over Portugal. He was also in line to referee a semi-final, but since England reached that stage, he couldn’t take the role.
Taylor started as a professional referee in 2006 with the Football League and made his Premier League debut in 2010. Over 16 seasons, he refereed 432 top-flight matches and officiated important games like the FA Cup and Carabao Cup finals.
Besides English football, Taylor handled 163 international games and was in charge of the 2024 Champions League final between Real Madrid and Borussia Dortmund.
In a statement about his retirement, Taylor said, “Refereeing at the highest level has been an incredible honor, but the pressure and constant scrutiny are tough. Now feels like the right time to move on and start the next chapter of my life. I want to thank my assistants Gary and Adam, my refereeing colleagues, and everyone involved in the game for their support over the years. Most of all, I’m grateful to my family and friends for standing by me through all the sacrifices this career needed.”
Howard Webb, Chief Refereeing Officer at Professional Game Referees (Pro Ref), also shared his thoughts: “Anthony has been an amazing servant to football, both here and internationally. He’s been trusted to referee some of the biggest games, including this summer’s Portugal vs. Spain match, which was a great way to finish his career.”
“He’s shown over many years why he’s one of the best referees England has produced. But it’s not just his skill on the pitch—his professionalism and support for fellow referees and future officials really show his great character. We thank him for everything he’s done for the game and wish him all the best in what comes next.”