03 November 2023 , 22:04
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Anthony Taylor, one of the Premier League's most recognisable referees, has been demoted to the Championship for this weekend's fixtures.
The 45-year-old was at the centre of a refereeing storm last Saturday after giving a penalty to Newcastle in their 2-2 draw against Wolves at Molineux. The Premier League's Independent Key Match Incidents Panel believes it was the incorrect decision.
PGMOL, who are led by 2010 World Cup final referee Howard Webb, have responded by demoting Taylor. He will referee Preston's Championship game against Coventry at Deepdale instead of a Premier League fixture as punishment for the blunder.
Wolves boss Gary O'Neil has urged PGMOL to improve the standard of refereeing in the wake of last Saturday's howler. Taylor is the third referee to be demoted to the Championship this season after making an incorrect decision against Wolves.
O'Neil was asked about Taylor's blunder and demotion at his pre-match press conference on Friday. Wolves take on winless Sheffield United at Bramall Lane on Saturday. "I saw the numbers in the review they do on Tuesday which was 5-0 in favour of a penalty not being given on-field, and 4-1 in favour of it not being overturned by VAR," said O'Neil.
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"I think Anthony Taylor's doing the Championship game this weekend - that's three referees who've been relegated on the back of refereeing us, so you need to be careful when you referee Wolves because you could end up getting relegated the following week!
"That's Man Utd, Luton and Wolves now. I haven't received an apology and I don't want one. They're not going to help, but hopefully the level improves... I just feel a better level of refereeing is where I'm at with it. Too many mistakes.
"Communication's fine, they've always communicated fine with me. It's just the level, as we're all held to high levels in what we do. I am, the players are, refereeing the same. They say these things even out, but I don't see that happening.
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"We've been on the bad end too many times. Hopefully things can start to improve for them as well... the spotlight's on them at the moment for all the mistakes that are being made, and whether VAR is helping or not. So let's hope things improve."
Taylor is likely to be promoted back to Premier League level in the coming weeks. Yet his demotion is quite embarrassing, as he's regarded as one of English football's best referees. Taylor has taken charge of some of the biggest games in football during his career.
The FIFA-listed official has overseen the Community Shield, European Super Cup, Europa League final, Club World Cup final, Nations League final, Championship play-off final and League Cup final, among other big games. He's also refereed two FA Cup finals.
Simon Hooper was forced to wait three weeks to referee another Premier League game after his blunder during Wolves' 1-0 loss at Manchester United on the opening day of the term. He failed to give O'Neil's side a penalty after an apparent foul by Andre Onana.
Josh Smith was taken off Premier League duty for a month after he also made a costly howler in a Wolves game. He gave a scored penalty to Luton during their 1-1 draw at Kenilworth Road in September after the ball deflected onto Joao Gomes' right arm.