Anthony Taylor will not officiate any Premier League games this weekend after issuing a record 14 yellow cards during Chelsea’s match against Bournemouth last Saturday. Despite this, he will serve as the fourth official for two games: Ipswich Town vs. Southampton on Saturday and Brighton & Hove Albion vs. Nottingham Forest on Sunday.
Record Cards and Referee Controversy
Taylor handed out the highest number of yellow cards ever recorded in a Premier League game. He also gave two more yellow cards to coaches. Although the game wasn’t particularly violent, Taylor was strict about punishing dissent, following new guidelines. Both teams exhibited a lot of minor, disruptive behavior, with Chelsea receiving seven yellow cards despite committing only nine fouls.
Social Media Backlash
Following the match, Taylor has faced significant online abuse, including threats directed at him and his family. The Premier League is investigating these threats, some of which might result in legal action.
To avoid further scrutiny, Taylor will not be the main referee for any games this weekend and will instead work as the fourth official. While Taylor’s handling of Chelsea games has been controversial in the past, his current situation highlights the challenges of enforcing new rules on player conduct and managing public reaction.