The Association of Professional Football Referees (PGMOL) denounced on Friday "the unjustified and repugnant insults" suffered by Anthony Taylor, the referee of the final of the Europa League, attacked at Budapest airport on Thursday by supporters of the unfortunate finalist, Roma.
Videos circulating on social media showed the England referee and his family waiting to fly home, the day after Sevilla won on penalties against Roma, surrounded by fans and evacuated under the protection of security guards. A bottle and a chair were even thrown at the small group.
Ref Anthony Taylor, getting attacked at the airport by Roma fans 👊✈️ pic.twitter.com/nvuAFNCbR6
— Football Fights (@footbalIfights) June 2, 2023
"We are appalled by the unwarranted and disgusting insults directed at Anthony and his family as he attempted to return home after officiating at the Europa League final," the PGMOL wrote. We will continue to give our full support to Anthony and his family. »
Budapest's Ferenc Liszt Airport also issued a statement saying an Italian fan "has been arrested by police and legal proceedings have been initiated against him for this brawl."
'Fucking shame', says Mourinho
The match itself was studded with fouls, clashes and punctuated by 14 yellow cards, including one for the coach of the Italian club, Jose Mourinho. Taylor had several important decisions to make, including that, after viewing VAR footage, to overturn a penalty he had whistled for Sevilla, and then not to award one to Roma for an opponent's hand.
But the most controversial, from the Italian point of view, was to withdraw Gonzalo Montiel's decisive penalty shot, initially stopped by Rui Patricio, before the referee ruled that he was not on his line at the time of the strike. On his second attempt, the Argentine gave victory to the Andalusians.
Immediately after the final, Roma coach Jose Mourinho was filmed in the stadium car park waiting for the referee to leave before insulting him in English and Italian, calling him a "fucking shame". UEFA said it was waiting for Anthony Taylor's detailed report before deciding on possible sanctions against the Portuguese coach.
