Premier League referee Anthony Taylor, known for his distinct presence on the pitch, has faced the consequences of a controversial decision.
Taylor, 45, was at the center of a refereeing controversy last Saturday when he awarded a penalty to Newcastle during their match against Wolves, resulting in a 2-2 draw at Molineux.
The Independent Key Match Incidents Panel of the Premier League deemed Taylor’s penalty call incorrect. As a result, the PGMOL, led by Howard Webb, a former World Cup final referee from 2010, has decided to demote Taylor as a punishment for the error.
This weekend, Taylor will officiate the Championship match between Preston and Coventry at Deepdale rather than a Premier League fixture.
Wolves’ manager, Gary O’Neil, has voiced concerns about the standard of refereeing, especially in light of last Saturday’s contentious decision. Taylor is now the third referee this season to be demoted to the Championship after making a questionable call against Wolves.
O’Neil expressed his perspective on Taylor’s demotion during his pre-match press conference, emphasizing the need for improvement in refereeing standards. Wolves will face winless Sheffield United at Bramall Lane on Saturday.
Regarding Taylor’s penalty decision, O’Neil commented, “I saw the numbers in the review they do on Tuesday, which was 5-0 in favor of not awarding a penalty on the field and 4-1 in favor of not overturning it by VAR.”
He added, “That’s Man Utd, Luton, and Wolves now. I haven’t received an apology, and I don’t want one. They’re not going to help, but hopefully, the level will improve… I just feel a better level of refereeing is where I’m at with it. Too many mistakes.”
