September 17, (THEWILL) – Anthony Taylor will not referee any English Premier League match this weekend following social media abuse directed at him after Chelsea’s 1-0 victory against Bournemouth. The EPL is investigating the incident.
Taylor issued a League record of 14 yellow cards during Saturday’s match, with eight given to Chelsea players. The 45-year-old official has been reassigned to fourth official duties for two matches this weekend.
A spokesperson for the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) confirmed Taylor’s change in role to Reuters on Tuesday. He will serve as fourth official for Southampton versus Ipswich on Saturday and Brighton & Hove Albion against Nottingham Forest on Sunday.
The decision to remove Taylor from main refereeing duties comes amid growing concerns about the treatment of officials in football. The EPL and PGMOL are taking steps to address the issue and protect referees from abuse.
This incident is another example of the ongoing challenges faced by football officials and the need for greater respect and support within the sport. The League’s investigation into the matter may lead to further actions to safeguard referees and maintain the integrity of the game.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
