Anthony Taylor, a 45-year-old referee, has been appointed to officiate the eagerly awaited match between Manchester United and Liverpool, a decision that has sparked some controversy due to his strong ties to Greater Manchester. Despite his association with the region, Taylor is in fact a dedicated supporter of the National League team Altrincham, where he has held a season ticket at Moss Lane for numerous years, instead of aligning himself as a fan of either of the Reds’ rivals.
Grahame Rowley, the president of Altrincham, has verified Taylor’s allegiance to the club and has stated, “Anthony has always been an Altrincham fan. Even now, he acquires a season ticket every year, despite the fact he cannot attend all the matches. Individuals in this area often inquire whether you support the Red or Blue. He is actually a great advocate for non-League football and should be commended, not criticised.”
It is essential to note that as per regulations set by PGMOL (Professional Game Match Officials Limited), referees are prohibited from officiating matches involving teams they support. Nonetheless, Taylor is set to oversee his fourth game between Liverpool and United. His first experience refereeing these two sides dates back to 2016, which resulted in a goalless draw.
Taylor’s initial appointment for this high-profile match has raised concerns, with former referees Mark Halsey and Keith Hackett questioning the decision to assign him to the game. Halsey conveyed his bewilderment by stating, “The PGMOL are not helping themselves. If anything happens there will be questions about the appointment. I do not understand why Anthony Taylor has been given the Liverpool game against Manchester United and I do not think he should be doing it.”
Jose Mourinho has also provided his perspective on the matter, intimating that Taylor might encounter challenges in delivering a top-notch performance and insinuating that ‘somebody is intentionally putting pressure on him’. Despite this, the former Manchester United manager did acknowledge Taylor’s capabilities as a referee.
Since the initial controversy, Taylor has gone on to officiate two more matches between the two rivals, with Liverpool emerging victorious in both encounters as Jurgen Klopp’s team defeated United 4-2 and 5-0 in 2021.
The contentious selection of Taylor for the Liverpool vs Man Utd game has certainly caused a stir within the football community. It remains to be seen how the match will unfold and whether Taylor’s performance as the referee will come under scrutiny once again.