Anthony Taylor, the referee for the Europa League final between Sevilla and Roma, faced a highly charged arrival situation at the Budapest airport on Thursday. The atmosphere around his entry was tense as fans awaited him, and the scene quickly drew attention from supporters across both teams.
Roma supporters and their families voiced clear discontent with Taylor’s performance, reacting loudly upon learning the English official would oversee the match. Insults were directed at the referee, chants filled the terminal, and some individuals pushed and threw objects in the vicinity. The confrontation extended to Taylor and his family as security measures stepped in to ensure their safety at the airport in Budapest.
Images circulating on social media captured the moment of rising tension, showing Italian fans challenging the official with energetic displays, water bottles flying, and even a chair being tossed in the commotion. Airport security directed Taylor to a secure area, where staff monitored the developing situation and managed the crowd with care.
According to widely shared posts, Taylor’s calls during the match sparked further discussion. The decision not to award a handball penalty on Sevilla, along with the amount of cautions shown to numerous Roma players, drew scrutiny and debate among fans and commentators alike. The incident underscored how closely a referee’s performance can be scrutinized in a high-stakes final, particularly when disagreements arise over penalties and disciplinary action. [Citation: Football Out of Context, June 1, 2023]
Jose Mourinho, reacting minutes after the final, expressed dissatisfaction with the officiating to the media and in the stadium parking area. He criticized Taylor and referenced the broader impact of refereeing decisions on Roma’s prospects. In the post-match press conference, Mourinho was direct about the perceived injustice and described the referee as a Spanish official, expressing frustration over how the match had unfolded. He spoke of feeling that the team faced an injustice that would be carried home after the game. He also commented on the role of VAR in the penalty decision involving Ocampos, signaling a broader frustration with key calls throughout the match. The focus remained on whether the referee had influenced the outcome in more than one moment, a claim Mourinho attributed to several occasions before concluding the discussion. [Citation: Football Out of Context, June 1, 2023]
As the evening wore on, the tension surrounding Taylor’s performance continued to resonate with Roma fans and their supporters. The display of emotion in the stadium parking lot and the surrounding commentary reflected a scenario where a referee’s judgment was at the center of a heated debate. The episode highlighted how the dynamics of a European final can amplify disagreements over officiating, and how post-match remarks from team staff and fans can shape the narrative long after the final whistle. [Citation: Football Out of Context, June 1, 2023]