Referee Taylor Retires

Anthony Taylor, a 47-year-old former Premier League referee, has retired after a 20-year career, officiating 831 professional matches, including 668 in the English professional game and 163 international fixtures. Taylor refereed at four major tournaments, including two World Cups and two European Championships.

Taylor's decision to retire comes after he refereed the World Cup last-16 game between Spain and Portugal in Dallas. He has taken on a new role as director of elite refereeing with the Turkish Football Federation, where he hopes to help Turkish football emerge from a referee betting scandal.

Taylor believes the video assistant referee (VAR) system has become too 'microscopic'. He also thinks former referees turned pundits should think twice before criticising their former colleagues in the media, as it adds to the culture of fear surrounding officiating.

## What's Next Taylor's new role in Turkey will see him working to improve the country's refereeing system. He has expressed his desire to help the Turkish game recover from its current referee betting scandal.

Taylor's retirement marks the end of a distinguished career, during which he officiated every major domestic cup final and was promoted to the Premier League in 2010. His experience and expertise will now be utilised in his new role, as he aims to make a positive impact on Turkish football.