Europa League final referee Anthony Taylor was mobbed by angry Roma supporters at Budapest airport on Thursday after being criticised by Jose Mourinho following Sevilla’s victory. The Italian side took a first-half lead at the Puskas Arena on Wednesday evening through Paulo Dybala but were pegged back early in the second half after an own goal by Gianluca Mancini, with the match going to extra time and then penalties. Sevilla goalkeeper Bono made two fine saves before Argentina’s World Cup final shoot-out hero Gonzalo Montiel netted yet another trophy-winning penalty after a dramatic retake.
But Mourinho – and many of his players – were livid after the match, with the former Chelsea manager so aggrieved with some of the decisions in the final that he waited for Taylor and the rest of the officials in the stadium car park and branded them a ‘f***ing disgrace’ in an astonishing rant. Sadly, that anger towards the officials was continued by disgruntled Roma fans at Budapest airport on Thursday afternoon, with Taylor – and his family – subjected to vile abuse as he made his way to the terminal. Footage on social media shows large groups of Roma supporters chanting angrily at the Premier League referee as he and his family are ushered into a private room for their own safety. Several plastic bottles full of liquid appeared to be thrown and at one point someone in the crowd seemed to lunge for Taylor while another launched a chair towards the 44-year-old, with his daughter in clear distress as they made their way through the mob.
Eventually the police managed to get Taylor and his family to safety, while Football Italia are reporting that the fan who threw the chair is being held by the authorities. A statement from refereeing body PGMOL said: ‘We are aware of videos circulating on social media showing Anthony Taylor and his family being harassed and abused at Budapest Airport. We are appalled at the unjustified and abhorrent abuse directed at Anthony and his family as he tries to make his way home from refereeing the UEFA Europa League final. We will continue to provide our full support to Anthony and his family.’ Reacting to the footage, referee’s charity Ref Support UK wrote on Twitter: ‘This is so, so worrying to see and we hope Anthony and his family are OK. This is why we believe organisations like the @LMA_Managers and the @PFA as well as the @WeAreTheFSA need to come out and condemn such behaviour in this country. Managers’ comments and players’ behaviour encourages this and it is on a worrying rise where a serious incident or murder is just around the corner.’
The shocking scenes will only increase the pressure on UEFA to act over Mourinho’s inciteful comments, with the Portuguese coach having taken aim at Taylor in multiple post-match interviews and even said he ‘seemed Spanish’. Mourinho was unhappy with the decision to book Lorenzo Pellegrini for a clear dive but not show a yellow to Lucas Ocampos when he went down inside the box – even though the Argentine was clipped, with a miniscule touch on the ball from Roger Ibanez later picked up by VAR who recommended Taylor to reverse his original penalty call. The Italian side also felt they should have been awarded a penalty for a handball, though again there was little in it, but Mourinho – who experienced defeat in a European final for the first time – was apoplectic afterwards nevertheless.
‘Next year we won’t be playing the Champions League and that’s a good thing because we’re not made for it,’ said the 60-year-old. ‘And let’s hope that Taylor, only officiates games in the Champions League and does the same bull**** there that he did tonight, and not in the Europa League.’ Wow…I hope Anthony Taylor and his family are ok after that bull****. How has he been left to walk without security – all of the authorities have to start thinking worst case scenarios the way things are. These thugs should be held accountable asap https://t.co/oZaA7iPcju— Rio Ferdinand (@rioferdy5) June 1, 2023
The Europa League final between Sevilla and Roma was marred by controversy after referee Anthony Taylor was mobbed by angry Roma supporters at Budapest airport on Thursday following criticism from Jose Mourinho. Taylor had to dish out 13 yellow cards in a bad-tempered match (Picture: Getty) The Italian side took a first-half lead at the Puskas Arena on Wednesday evening through Paulo Dybala but were pegged back early in the second half after an own goal by Gianluca Mancini, with the match going to extra time and then penalties. Sevilla