Anthony Taylor’s disaster at Euro 2024: Was Mourinho right?

English referee Anthony Taylor has been linked with controversy for quite some time. In many matches, he steals the show from the players on the field. The Euro 2024 quarter-final match between Spain and Germany was no different. After Spain’s thrilling extra-time victory, the focus turned to Taylor’s controversial decisions. The event has sparked fresh discussions about Jose Mourinho’s previous criticisms of Taylor’s refereeing talent and the validity of those complaints.

In the quarter-final match, the English referee handed out an incredible 15 yellow cards over the course of 120 minutes. Such a high number of bookings might suggest strict adherence to the rules, but it is more indicative of inconsistent decision-making. Taylor’s leniency on certain fouls, including Marc Cucurella’s questionable handball, frustrated fans and players.

One of the most controversial moments of the match occurred in extra time. German player Jamal Musiala’s shot on goal bounced off Cucurella’s hand, prompting Germany to appeal for a penalty. However, Taylor waved off the protest and the VAR team did not intervene.

This decision left the German team and their fans furious, as they felt a clear penalty was not given. The incident echoed previous controversies surrounding Taylor and reinforced his reputation for questionable decisions at crucial moments.

Taylor’s controversial past

Anthony Taylor’s history of controversial decisions is not new. A notable incident from last year involved a Premier League match between Newcastle United and Wolverhampton Wanderers. Taylor awarded a penalty against Wolves after Hwang Hee-chan fouled Fabian Schar.

Wolves manager Gary O’Neil branded the decision “disgraceful”, which led to widespread criticism. The Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) had to intervene and Taylor was subsequently banned from Premier League matches for the following weekend.

Another infamous incident in the 45-year-old’s career occurred during the 2023 Europa League final between Roma and Sevilla. Taylor showed a record 13 yellow cards during the match, including a warning to the Italians’ then-manager Jose Mourinho, who was particularly incensed by Taylor not sending off Sevilla’s Erik Lamela for a second yellow offence.

After the match, the manager confronted the referee, calling him a “damn disgrace” and accusing him of favoring the Spanish team. The incident escalated when angry Giallorossi fans confronted Taylor and his family at Budapest airport.

Was Mourinho right about Taylor?

Jose Mourinho’s outburst after the Europa League final attracted worldwide attention. His accusations of bias and poor refereeing by Taylor have since been echoed in the recent Euro 2024 controversy. The claim that the referee’s decisions were unfair and influenced by external factors has been a recurring theme. The Italian media in particular has repeatedly reported on incidents in which Taylor’s decisions appeared to disadvantage Italian teams or players.

The Euro 2024 quarter-final added another layer to this story. Taylor’s handling of the Germany-Spain match, particularly his refusal to award Germany a penalty for Cucurella’s handball, bore parallels to previous controversies. Fans and pundits alike questioned the Englishman’s judgement and consistency, leading to renewed calls for a review of his refereeing skills.

Anthony Taylor’s continued involvement in high-profile controversies raises wider questions about the standards and accountability of referees at the highest level of football. The repeated incidents have damaged his reputation and raised doubts about his ability to referee crucial matches impartially and effectively.

Photo credit: IMAGO / Jan Huebner : IMAGO / PA Images