Controversial Referee Anthony Taylor Released From Premier League This Season

Anthony Taylor was released from the 2024/2025 Premier League referee (Instagram/@anthony_taylor_referee).

JAKARTA - Referee Anthony Taylor was again involved in controversy while leading the fifth week of the 2024/2025 Premier League match between Brighton vs Nottingham Forest, Sunday, September 22, 2024.

Taylor issued three red cards and seven yellow cards in the match. The first red card was addressed to Morgan Gibbs-White in the 83rd minute.

Following then each team manager, Fabian Hurzeler (Brighton) and Nuno Espirito Santo (Nottingham Forest) were also removed from the field by the justice.

Gibbs-White, who had previously received a yellow card, tackled Joao Pedro.

Referee assistant Robert Jones initially said he got the ball, but Taylor decided to give him a second yellow card after Gibbs-White's overreaction to the referee.

Meanwhile, Hurzeler got a red card for breaking the line, then Espirito Santo got a red card for harsh words.

Taylor's decision actually got a fight from another assistant referee, Rui Pedro Silva.

"It was a strong tackle, but fair. I didn't see anything that confirmed the second yellow card."

"If he (Jones) makes that sign to show the ball, maybe his decision will continue. However, I don't see the picture."

"I think the referee on the pitch is the main decision maker in the game. So, if he sees that, he has to stick to his decision."

"I think the referee took the time to chat, discuss the situation, and they made the final decision to show Morgan Gibbs-White a second yellow card."

"Anthony has a point of view, Rob may have another point of view, the linesman has another point of view," said Rui Pedro Silva.

Even though the match was over and the decision had been made, the debate was still ongoing. In the end, Anthony Taylor was relieved of his position as a Premier League referee this season.

Brighton vs Nottingham is not the only controversial party Taylor leads.

Previously, he had recorded a record 14 yellow cards in the Bournemouth vs Chelsea match on September 15, 2024.

Anthony Taylor's name has also been included in Nottingham Forest's poor record after rejecting three penalties during his loss at Everton in April 2024 or Premier League last season.

In addition to his controversy in the Premier League, Anthony Taylor was also hated when he was on the Euro 2024 referee list. Sure enough, he made a debated decision in the quarter-finals when Germany faced Spain.

Taylor did not give a card to Toni Kroos who pulled hard from behind Rodri. Then, he also refused a penalty when Marc Cucurella was caught on camera doing handball in an attempt to block Jamal Musiala's shot.

After that match, Anthony Taylor is scheduled to lead the final. However, a strong reaction from supporters emerged.

A total of 32,000 fans signed a petition refusing Taylor to become the final referee for Euro 2024. As a result, the judge failed to lead the final party and returned to England.