Anthony Taylor appointed as Turkey’s director of elite refereeing
Former Premier League referee Anthony Taylor has secured a major new role in football just weeks after bringing the curtain down on his officiating career, reports BritPanorama.
Taylor, who announced his retirement on July 21 following more than 20 years at the top level, has now been appointed as the Turkish Football Federation’s new director of elite refereeing. At 47, he oversaw 668 domestic matches during his career, officiating on some of football’s biggest stages, including the Premier League, Champions League, European Championship, and FIFA World Cup.
The Turkish Football Federation (TFF) confirmed the appointment on Tuesday, announcing a long-term agreement that will see Taylor oversee the strategic direction of elite officiating across the country. In this role, he will lead the strategic and technical development of officiating within the Federation, supporting the development of match officials and helping to align the programme with UEFA and FIFA standards.
This appointment comes amid scrutiny of Turkish refereeing following a series of controversies. Recently, a disciplinary investigation uncovered widespread gambling activity among referees, with 371 out of 571 officials identified as holding betting accounts. The inquiry also revealed instances of referees placing significant numbers of bets on matches, raising concerns about the integrity of officiating.
Taylor’s arrival is expected to bring some much-needed stability and professionalism to Turkish officiating. “I am delighted to be joining the Turkish Football Federation and very much looking forward to beginning this new role,” he stated. He emphasized that elite refereeing has been central to his professional life for many years and that this new position allows him to use that experience in a different capacity.
Reflecting on his new challenge, Taylor noted the existing talent within Turkey and expressed enthusiasm for helping shape the strategic and technical development of refereeing programmes in the country. His experience is poised to influence the evolution of Turkish football as it navigates its current challenges.
In a sport where officiating decisions are critical and often contentious, Taylor’s background and insights could act as a crucial factor in improving match standards and the overall player experience going forward. One cannot help but feel this shift may bring both an air of hope and trepidation to a footballing culture so used to controversy.
