EPL: Referee Anthony Taylor steps down
Premier League Referee Anthony Taylor Announces Retirement After 16 Years
Premier League referee Anthony Taylor has officially announced his retirement from officiating at the top level of football, concluding his career after 16 years.
The 47-year-old has overseen 831 matches across English, European, and international competitions. His final game was the recent 2026 World Cup Round of 16 match between Portugal and the eventual champions, Spain.
In a statement, Taylor expressed gratitude for the opportunities he had during his career. “Officiating at the elite level has been an immense privilege, but the pressure is intense and the scrutiny is constant,” he said. “The time is now right to step aside and look forward to transitioning to the next chapter of my career.”


