Anthony Taylor retires from refereeing after his last match at the recent FIFA World Cup
Premier League referee Anthony Taylor has announced his retirement after officiating at the 2026 World Cup (Image: Rico Brouwer/Soccrates/Getty Images)
Premier League referee Anthony Taylor has announced his retirement. The Englishman blew the whistle after officiating Spain’s 1-0 victory over Portugal in the last 16 of this summer’s World Cup.
The 47-year-old has ended his career after more than 20 years and 831 appearances. Taylor was a Premier League manager for 16 seasons, managing over 432 top-flight games.
The experienced referee also refereed the 2024 Champions League final between Borussia Dortmund and Real Madrid at Wembley Stadium. However, Taylor retired after the World Cup and will no longer officiate professional matches.
The now former government official announced the news in a post on his LinkedIn account on Tuesday. He said: “The final whistle sounds and we move on to the next chapter.
“After 16 unforgettable seasons of refereeing at the highest level of English and international football, I have decided that the time has come to retire from elite refereeing. Looking back, I do so with immense pride and gratitude. It has been the greatest honor to referee in the Premier League, FIFA and UEFA competitions and some of the biggest events in football. Every match, every challenge, every experience has shaped not only my career but the person I am.
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“Elite refereeing is about much more than 90 minutes on the pitch. It requires dedication, resilience, preparation and sacrifice, but it has given me memories, friendships and experiences that I will cherish forever. No referee succeeds alone. I have been incredibly lucky to have worked with so many great colleagues throughout my career. Thank you everyone. It has been a privilege to share this journey with you.”
“A special thank you to Gary Beswick and Adam Nunn. I am extremely proud of what Team Tales has achieved together. I couldn’t have asked for better colleagues or better friends. Your professionalism, loyalty and unwavering support means more than words can express.
Anthony Taylor was an experienced referee (Image: Getty Images)
“It hasn’t always been easy. The pressure is intense and the scrutiny is constant. But it’s a huge honor to be at the heart of the game I love. Football is built on passion and decisions are always debated, but it’s been a privilege to contribute to the game with integrity and professionalism.”
“Most importantly, thank you to my family and friends. Your love, patience, and unwavering support have been my foundation throughout this journey. The sacrifices you have made with me will never go unnoticed and I could not have accomplished any of these things without you.”
“Thank you everyone for joining me on this amazing journey. It has been the privilege of a lifetime. Now is the time to take a step back and look forward to the next chapter of my career.”
Taylor hinted at his future plans in public, confirming that he is represented by barrister Trinity Chambers, adding: “Follow me on Instagram to find out what’s next…@anthonytaylor.official.”
Mr Taylor is one of several executives to retire from English football this summer. Referee Darren Bond and assistant referees Natalie Aspinall and Mark Perry will also hang up their whistles at the end of the 2025/26 season.
Meanwhile, referee Jeremy Simpson and assistant referee Mark Russell called it a day in the Championship, with referee Christiana Hattersley retiring from her WSL duties.
