Fan arrested after ref Anthony Taylor attacked by Roma supporters at airport
An Italian supporter has been arrested by Hungarian police on suspicion of affray after Anthony Taylor was attacked after the Europa League final.
English referee Taylor was confronted by a group of furious fans in Budapest Airport after overseeing a tempestuous win on penalties for Sevilla. Roma have been hit with six charges by UEFA after Jose Mourinho branded Taylor a “f***ing disgrace” in an angry tirade in a car park.
Mourinho and Roma’s fans were angry with Taylor because he dished out 13 yellow cards to players and one to Mourinho, failed to send off Sevilla’s Erik Lamela and ordered Gabriel Montiel’s decisive penalty to be retaken after Rui Patricio came off his line to save the initial effort. They shouted abuse at Taylor and tried to confront him in the airport before police intervened to get him to safety.
A joint statement from Budapest airport and police read: “Anthony Taylor, the referee of the UEFA Europa League final, was involved in an incident at Ferenc Liszt International (Budapest) Airport yesterday evening. 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 cooperation 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.
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“The Italian citizen involved in the incident was apprehended by the police and criminal proceedings have been initiated on charges of affray.
Anthony Taylor and his family were chased by Roma thugs through the airport (Twitter / @refsupportuk)
He was eventually ushered to safety by security“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.”
Roma have been charged with throwing objects, lighting fireworks, acts of damage, crowd disturbances and improper conduct in Budapest, while Mourinho himself has been charged with using insulting or abusive language against a match official.
The treatment of Taylor has been widely condemned, with the PGMOL, the body responsible for match officials in the UK, releasing a statement in support. “PGMOL is aware of videos circulating on social media showing Anthony Taylor and his family being harassed and abused at Budapest Airport,” it read.
“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."
Former Premier League referee Mark Halsey has encouraged UEFA to “throw the book” at Mourinho and Roma to discourage other teams from behaving in a similar way.
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