English referee Anthony Taylor and his family were subjected to a confrontation by a group of Roma fans at Budapest Airport after Roma’s defeat by Sevilla in the Europa League final. Videos circulating on social media show Taylor and his family being escorted out of a cafe and into a secure area by airport security, seeking protection from the supporters who hounded them following the contentious final.
The clips shared on Twitter captured the disturbing moment when a chair and bottle were thrown in the direction of Taylor and his group, which included two females. The Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL), the body responsible for English referees, issued a statement expressing their dismay over the incident. They condemned the “unjustified and abhorrent abuse” directed at Taylor and his family, assuring their full support in dealing with the situation.
Following the game, widely shared footage captured Mourinho directing a series of expletives towards the officials in the car park, criticizing their performance as a “disgrace.” UEFA is awaiting the referee’s match report before determining whether any action will be taken against Mourinho.
Former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher praised Taylor’s performance, emphasizing that he handled the intense scrutiny and challenges he faced throughout the match. Gallagher stated, “I don’t think he could’ve done anything different. He was tested over and over and over again, in all kinds of manners, physically and mentally.”
