Overview
- Anthony Taylor retired from on-field refereeing after the 2026 World Cup and has taken the role of director of elite refereeing with the Turkish Football Federation to advise on training and standards.
- In a BBC interview he said former referees who become media pundits often deliver one-sided criticism that breeds fear, shame and self-doubt among match officials.
- The TFF presented Taylor's hire as part of a response to a long-running betting investigation that reported widespread referee betting-account links but it has not published a detailed reform timetable or specific steps.
- Taylor cited constant public scrutiny and threats to his family as factors in his decision to quit and said he prefers passing on knowledge in a technical role rather than critiquing colleagues in the media.
- Taylor brings high-level on-field experience—promoted to the Premier League in 2010, four major tournaments and every major cup final—which gives him credibility to lead training and push for changes that could prompt the TFF to adopt UEFA and FIFA standards.