Taylor, 47, ends 20-year career spanning 831 matches after officiating Spain's 1-0 World Cup last-16 win over Portugal.
1:39 PM
Anthony Taylor has announced his retirement from elite refereeing, concluding a career spanning more than two decades and 831 matches. The 47-year-old English official cited the intense pressure and constant scrutiny of the role as factors in his decision to step aside.
Taylor's final match was Spain's 1-0 victory over Portugal in the World Cup last 16on July 6 at this summer's tournament in the United States. Spain won the fixture courtesy of a stoppage-time goal from Mikel Merino.
The referee spent 16 seasons in the Premier League, taking charge of 432 top-flight matches. In total, he officiated 668 matches across the professional game in England. Before his promotion to the Premier League in 2010, Taylor was added to the Football League list at the start of the 2006-07 season.
Beyond domestic competition, Taylor's career included major international appointments. He officiated the 2024 Champions League final between Borussia Dortmund and Real Madrid, and took charge of two matches during the 2026 World Cup. His last Premier League game was the fixture between West Ham United and Leeds United on May 24.
Prior to becoming a professional referee, Taylor worked as a prison officer. Over his refereeing career, he officiated every major domestic cup final in England.
In a statement, Taylor said: "Officiating at the elite level has been an immense privilege, but the pressure is intense and the scrutiny is constant. The time is now right to step aside and look forward to transitioning to the next chapter of my career."
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