europa league final Referee Anthony Taylor was escorted by security at Budapest airport after Wednesday’s game after a group of angry Roma supporters surrounded him and his family. Video posted on social media showed a chair thrown in his direction.
Taylor, 44, was waiting for his flight on Thursday when a group of Roma fans recognized him among the many supporters who blamed the long-time English civil servant for the team’s defeat against Sevilla in the final.
AS Roma players argue with referee Anthony Taylor of England as he awards Sevilla FC a penalty kick during the 2022-23 UEFA Europa League Final match between Sevilla FC and AS Roma at Puskas Arena on 31 May 2023 in Budapest, Hungary. (Jonathan Moscrop/Getty Images)
In videos shared on Twitter, Taylor is seen standing back from the crowd. At one point, the video shows an unidentified man throwing a chair in the direction of Taylor and her family.
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«PGMOL is aware of videos circulating on social media showing Anthony Taylor and his family being harassed and abused at Budapest airport,» Professional Game Match Officials Limited wrote in a statement on Thursday.
«We are shocked by the unjustified and abhorrent abuse directed at Anthony and his family as he tries to return home after refereeing the UEFA Europa League final. We will continue to give our full support to Anthony and his family.»
Referee Anthony Taylor gestures during a penalty shootout at the end of the 2022-23 UEFA Europa League Final match between Sevilla FC and AS Roma at Puskas Arena on May 31, 2023 in Budapest, Hungary. (Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty Images)
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According to a report by The Athletic, a 42-year-old Italian man was arrested. It was not immediately clear what his involvement was in the incident.
«Anthony Taylor, the referee for the UEFA Europa League final, was involved in an incident at Ferenc Liszt International Airport (Budapest) last night. Fans of the losing team from Rome recognized the referee in the food court of the airport, where he was waiting for his flight to depart,» said a joint statement from the airport and the police, via The Athletic.
«Thanks to the close cooperation of the airport operator with the police and the increased police presence at the airport during the arrival and departure of fans, the authorities immediately intervened and the referee was escorted to a lounge and boarded his departure flight. safely, accompanied by police officers».
Salvatore Foti, assistant coach of AS Roma, reacts as his colleague Giovanni Cerra, head coach of AS Roma, receives a yellow card from referee Anthony Taylor on May 31, 2023 in Budapest, Hungary. (Jonathan Moscrop/Getty Images)
Roma manager José Mourinho was also accused by UEFA on Friday of using «insulting/abusive language against a referee» during Wednesday’s game. It was one of a series of disciplinary cases opened by UEFA.
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UEFA also addressed the situation of Taylor and his family, saying it «vehemently condemns violent behaviour» and called on players, coaches and fans to respect referees.
Associated Press contributed to this report.