LONDON (ENGLAND) (ITALPRESS) – “The worst situation I’ve ever had to face.” This is how Anthony Taylor described the aftermath of the Roma-Sevilla match, the 2023 Europa League final won on penalties by the Spanish side amid protests from the Giallorossi fans, especially Jose Mourinho, over the English referee’s handling. The then-Roma manager called Taylor a “disgrace,” then confronted him in the stadium parking lot.
There was also an unpleasant incident at the airport, with some Roma fans insulting and attempting to assault the referee in front of his family. “It was the worst situation I’ve ever had to deal with in terms of abuse,” he said in an interview with the BBC. “Not only because I was traveling with my family, but also because it highlights the impact that people’s behavior can have on others. Even in a match like that, where there were actually no serious errors, they tried to shift the focus onto someone to blame. I felt disappointment, frustration, and anger.”
“I don’t think everything that happened is acceptable, and I’m sure those people who behaved that way would never want to suffer that in front of their children. My family hasn’t come to see one of my games since,” Taylor added, concluding: “Yes, honestly, I think Mourinho’s behavior influenced the fans’ behavior.”
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(ITALPRESS).
