” it was VAR mistake…” – Anthony Taylor first social media post after Arsenal vs Man United match

English referee Anthony Taylor and his loved ones found themselves subjected to harassment by a group of fervent Roma fans at Budapest Airport, an unsettling episode that followed the Italian team’s defeat to Sevilla in the Europa League final.

In videos circulating on social media, we witness Taylor and his family being swiftly escorted out of a café and into a secure area by airport security. This urgent intervention became necessary as zealous supporters relentlessly pursued the referee after a particularly heated final on Wednesday evening. Disturbingly, the footage also captures a chair and bottle being hurled in their direction.

Budapest Airport promptly responded to the situation, stating that they had initiated criminal proceedings against an individual charged with affray in connection with the incident. Their statement explained that the Roma fans identified the referee in the airport’s food court as he awaited his flight. Swift collaboration between the airport authorities and law enforcement ensured that the referee was swiftly moved to a secure lounge and safely boarded his flight under police escort.

The statement further emphasized the airport’s commitment to a zero-tolerance policy against any form of violence towards passengers or airport staff.

The Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) expressed their outrage and condemnation of the incident, offering their unwavering support to Anthony Taylor and his family. Taylor’s journey home from refereeing the UEFA Europa League final should not have been marred by such unjustified and reprehensible abuse.

The Premier League also voiced its shock and dismay at the reprehensible abuse directed at Anthony Taylor and his family. They emphasized that nobody should have to endure such inexcusable behavior and reaffirmed their full support for the highly experienced and accomplished match official.