‘Absolutely disgraceful’: Terrifying scenes as football fans harass ref

The football world has condemned Roma fans who abused Europa League Final referee Anthony Taylor and his family at the airport.

Fans threw a chair at the police protecting the ref. Photo: Twitter

Police have rushed Europa League referee Anthony Taylor and his family into a private room at Budapest International Airport after fans of Italian club Roma surrounded them.

It comes after a controversial end to the Europa League final which saw Spanish club Sevilla lift the trophy after a 4-1 win on penalties after the sides finished regular and extra time locked at 1-all.

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The final was a heated affair and the Premier League referee handed out 13 yellow cards in the match, the most ever in a UEFA Europa League game, which saw Roma manager Jose Mourinho lose his first European final. He also issued Mourinho a yellow card.

There were also incidences during the game including a Sevilla penalty with 15 minutes remaining being overturned by VAR, while Roma were also denied two penalties in the match.

Then, with Sevilla up 3-1 in the shootout, a shot from Gonzalo Montiel was saved by Roma goalkeeper Rui Patricio, but was ordered to be retaken due to encroachment from the goalkeeper.

Montiel made no mistake with his second chance.

Taylor in the middle of the action. Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images

But while the final whistle may have ended the match, it didn’t end the drama.

Mourinho confronted Taylor in the carpark and could be heard yelling “F**king disgrace man, it’s a f**king disgrace”.

He then began to speak Italian as he returned to the team bus before approaching Taylor again to call them “F**king crooks man.”.

Jose Mourinho waited outside to call Anthony Taylor a 'f*cking crook' 😳 pic.twitter.com/0BrQfTZL9x

— GOAL (@goal) June 1, 2023

And the Roma fans seem to have agreed with which their coach was saying.

Video of the referee entering the airport surrounded by chanting fan saw fuming Roma fans surround the referee and his family as they were ushered into a private room.

It could have gotten even uglier after a chair and a water bottle, which narrowly missed a woman near Taylor, were thrown at the 44-year-old.

The Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) released a statement condemning the scenes and standing with the official.

“PGMOL is aware of videos circulating on social media showing Anthony Taylor and his family being harassed and abused at Budapest Airport,” the statement read.

“We are appalled at the unjustified and abhorrent abuse directed at Anthony and his family as he tries to make his way home from refereeing the UEFA Europa League final.

“We will continue to provide our full support to Anthony and his family.”

Taylor and his family were ushered into a private room. Photo: Twitter

The fans were still fuming. Photo: Twitter

Former Manchester United star Rio Ferdinand tweeted: “Wow…I hope Anthony Taylor and his family are ok after that bull****. How has he been left to walk without security – all of the authorities have to start thinking worst case scenarios the way things are. These thugs should be held accountable asap”.

One of the voices of Aussie football Simon Hill also slammed the scenes.

“This is absolutely disgraceful, and sums up our cultural issue as a game with officialdom. No-one’s family should be physically threatened on account of what happened on a football field.”

Former football reporter Ray Gatt added: “Sickening Simon. Authorities must act. Bans, fines, sanctions for fans involved and the club.”

This is so so worrying to see and we hope Anthony and his family are ok.
This is why we believe organisations like the @LMA_Managers and the @PFA as well as the @WeAreTheFSA need to come out and condemn such behaviour in this country.

Mangers comments and players behaviour… pic.twitter.com/FiXUOfYWCC

— Refsupportuk (@refsupportuk) June 1, 2023

After the loss, Mourinho told his Roma players that there was no need to cry after a long, emotional Europa League ride ended in defeat at the final hurdle and said: “We lost a game but not dignity. I’ve never gone home prouder than today, even when I won”.

But Mourinho erupted in his post-match press conference, accusing Taylor of “bulls**t” decisions.

“It was an intense, vibrant game with a referee who seemed Spanish. It was yellow, yellow, yellow all the time,” Mourinho said.

“Today in all the dubious episodes, the yellow cards, the referee blew the whistle in favour of Sevilla.

“I am surprised because he is an international referee who has a great reputation.”

The Sun reported Mourinho faces “a massive ban” for his rant.

With AFP