English referee Anthony Taylor and his family were harassed by a group of Roma fans at Budapest Airport on Thursday after the Italian side’s defeat by Sevilla in the Europa League final.
Clips on social media show Taylor and his family being ushered out of a cafe and into a secure area by airport security after supporters hounded the referee following an ill-tempered final on Wednesday evening.
The clips on Twitter show a chair and bottle being thrown in the direction of Taylor and his group.
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The PGMOL said in a statement: “PGMOL is aware of videos circulating on social media showing Anthony Taylor and his family being harassed and abused at Budapest Airport.
“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.”
Sky Sports News has also contacted UEFA for comment.
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Jose Mourinho and Roma defender Diego Llorente were both highly critical of the performance of referee, Anthony Taylor in the Europa League final
A statement on behalf of Budapest Airport, via Sky News, said criminal proceedings had begun against one Roma fan who had been charged with affray after the incident.
It read: “Fans of the losing Roma team recognised the referee in the food court of the airport, where he was waiting for his flight to depart.
“Thanks to the airport operator’s close co-operation with the Police and the increased Police presence at the airport during the arrival and departure of the fans, the authorities intervened immediately, and the referee was escorted to a lounge and boarded his flight safely, accompanied by Police officers.
“The Italian citizen involved in the incident was apprehended by the Police and criminal proceedings have been initiated on charges of affray.
“There were no further disturbances at the airport following the Police response to this isolated incident. Budapest Airport and the Police wish to make it clear that there is zero tolerance towards violence of any kind towards passengers or staff working at the airport.”
Refsupport UK said: “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. Managers comments and players behaviour encourage this and it is on a worrying rise where a serious incident or murder is just around the corner.”
Sevilla won on penalties to condemn Roma manager Jose Mourinho to his first defeat in a European final after a match which saw Premier League referee Taylor dish out 14 yellow cards, the most ever in a Europa League game, and play almost 30 minutes of stoppage time in total.
After the game footage – which has been shared widely on social media – showed Mourinho directing a string of expletives towards the officials in the car park, labelling their performance a “disgrace”.
UEFA is waiting on the referee’s match report before deciding whether to take any action against Mourinho.
Former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher praised Taylor’s performance, telling Sky Sports News on Thursday: “I don’t think he could’ve done anything different. He was tested over and over and over again. In all kinds of manners, physically and mentally.”
Sourse: skysports.com
