Roma fans mock Taylor after 2023 Europa League referee who infuriated Mourinho retires

Roma fans mock Taylor after 2023 Europa League referee who infuriated Mourinho retires Roma fans have been mockingly celebrating the news English referee Anthony Taylor has retired, as they and Jose Mourinho have not forgiven him for the 2023 Europa League Final. Taylor announced today that he has hung up his whistle after 14 years on the FIFA list, officiating at two different editions of the World Cup. BUDAPEST, HUNGARY – MAY 31: Jose Mourinho, Head Coach of AS Roma reacts after the UEFA Europa League 2022/23 final match between Sevilla FC and AS Roma at Puskas Arena on May 31, 2023 in Budapest, Hungary. (Photo by Maja Hitij/Getty Images) The 47-year-old was the longest-serving Premier League referee with 16 years in the English top flight. However, he was notorious in Italy and specifically among Roma fans for his performance in the 2023 Europa League Final won by Sevilla. Roma fans haven’t forgiven Taylor BUDAPEST, HUNGARY – MAY 31: Referee Anthony Taylor looks on with Jose Mourinho, Head Coach of AS Roma, during the UEFA Europa League 2022/23 final match between Sevilla FC and AS Roma at Puskas Arena on May 31, 2023 in Budapest, Hungary. (Photo by Naomi Baker/Getty Images) Then-Roma coach Mourinho blasted the official, saying in interviews that the defeat was “unjust” and that “the referee seemed Spanish.” He also confronted the referee and hurled abuse in the car park under the stadium after the match, earning him a four-match UEFA ban. Roma fans spotted Taylor and his family at the airport in Budapest and they had to be given a security cordon to escape the threats. “That’s the worst situation I’ve dealt with in terms of abuse,” the referee  told the BBC. “Not only because I was travelling with family members at the time, but it also highlights the impact of people’s behaviour on others. Even in a match like that, where there was actually no major mistakes in the game.” Even three years on, the Roma fans have not forgiven Taylor and posted a series of memes after the announcement of his retirement, including the suggestion this was “three years too late” and they were “finally free.” One frankly unnecessary meme had the image of soldiers in World War II reading ‘Hitler Dead’ on their newspapers.