Referee Anthony Taylor not on PL duty this weekend following social media abuse

Anthony Taylor will not referee a Premier League game this weekend after receiving abuse on social media after the Chelsea v Bournemouth showdown, which ended 1-0 for the Blues. The abuse, prompted the Premier League to launch an investigation, as the 45-year-old referee handed out record-breaking 14 yellow cards during Saturday’s clash - eight to Chelsea players and six to Bournemouth. 

It was announced on Tuesday that Taylor will, instead, act as the fourth official in two games this matchday. He will officiate Southampton's game against Ipswich on Saturday and Brighton's clash against Nottingham Forest the next day, as confirmed by the referees’ body 'Professional Game Match Officials Limited'. 

Meanwhile, Chelsea and Bournemouth will be fined £25,000 each for picking up more than six yellow cards in a single match. After the game, Chelsea coach Enzo Maresca commented on the situation. “It’s not a problem this amount of yellow cards. It is what it is. I complained about a foul on Wesley Fofana, which, for me, was quite clear. But it can happen, eight yellow cards, probably because these sort of games are about duels and fight. Sometimes the game demands the way you have to behave," he told 'Sky Sport'.

That said, Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola was not of the same idea, as refusing to comment on Antony's display. He said: “I will not talk about the referee. I have been talking and it is not working so I have decide now I will try the opposite and see what happens". 

 

September 17, 2024