Premier League referee Anthony Taylor announces retirement after 831 matches | OneFootball

Premier League referee Anthony Taylor has announced his retirement after more than two decades at the highest level and 831 matches. In a statement on Tuesday he confirmed the decision, L'Équipe reports.

His final assignment was the 2026 World Cup round of 16 between Spain and Portugal, which La Roja won 1-0 before going on to lift the trophy.

Taylor, 47, spent 16 seasons in the Premier League and took charge of 432 matches in the English top flight.

Internationally, he spent 14 years on FIFA’s list, officiated at two World Cups, in Qatar in 2022 and again this summer, and worked in the Champions League every season since 2016. He also oversaw the 2024 Champions League final between Borussia Dortmund and Real Madrid, which finished 2-0 to Madrid.

His notable domestic appointments include the FA Cup finals of 2017 and 2020, the 2015 League Cup final and the 2018 Championship play-off final.

He said refereeing at the highest level had been a privilege, but the pressure and scrutiny were intense, and that it was the right time to step away and begin the next chapter of his career.

Source: L'Équipe