Era un carceriere, Mourinho lo insultava nel garage, i tifosi di Roma lo prendevano con le sedie all'aeroporto.

Anthony Taylor, one of the most respected and controversial football referees in the world, has retired at the age of 47. His decision to end his career came just two weeks after officiating his last match, a tense encounter during the quarter-final of the 2022 World Cup between Spain and Portugal. The announcement stunned the football community, with many expressing surprise at the abrupt nature of his exit. According to Taylor himself, the decision was driven by “intense pressure and constant scrutiny” that had become unbearable over time. He described his final whistle as a quiet yet decisive moment marking the end of a journey that spanned more than 800 professional matches, including 432 in the English Premier League, where every call carries immense weight. Born in Wythenshaw, a working-class suburb of Manchester, Taylor’s path to the football pitch was anything but typical. Before he wore the referee’s jersey, he served as a prison officer at HMP Manchester, better known as Strangeways, one of Britain’s most notorious prisons. This experience, marked by the need to maintain order, authority, and composure in high-stress environments, shaped him in ways that would later prove invaluable. During his time behind bars, Taylor developed skills such as decisiveness under pressure, effective communication at all levels, and extraordinary mental resilience, qualities that became the foundation of his refereeing style. He also volunteered with the organization “Prison? Me? No Way!” which uses presentations about life inside prison to educate young people on the consequences of criminal behavior. Through this work, Taylor demonstrated a passion for guiding others, translating lessons learned behind bars into broader societal impact, eventually influencing the football field. Taylor’s rise through the ranks of football refereeing was methodical and relentless. He began his career in 2002 in the North Premier League, the seventh tier of English football, far removed from the spotlight and cameras. Step by step, proving himself on muddy pitches of lower leagues, he climbed the ladder until being appointed to the English Football League’s referee list in 2006. A major breakthrough came in February 2010 when he made his Premier League debut in a match between Fulham and Portsmouth. Soon after, he joined the elite group of top-tier referees, and in 2013, he was named on the FIFA list, opening doors to international competitions. His record of matches officiated speaks volumes about the trust placed in him by UEFA and FIFA. He has officiated the 2020 UEFA Super Cup final, the 2021 Nations League final, the 2023 Europa League final, and two FA Cup finals in 2017 and 2020. Notably, he became the first referee since 1901 to preside over two FA Cup finals, a feat achieved because the 2020 final took place in front of empty stands due to the pandemic, and the referee panel deemed it fair to grant such an honor. Yet, the moment that will forever define Anthony Taylor’s legacy did not occur in a final but during a group stage match at the 2020 European Championship. In the 43rd minute of the Denmark vs. Finland game in Copenhagen, Danish midfielder Christian Eriksen collapsed on the pitch. As the world watched in shock and players scrambled in panic, Taylor acted instinctively and without hesitation. Within seconds, he recognized the severity of the situation, halted the game, and urgently called for medical assistance. His calmness and quick thinking during these critical moments were instrumental in the resuscitation efforts that followed. Later, Taylor was widely praised globally for his prompt response, which undoubtedly played a role in saving Eriksen’s life. His mentor, former referee Chris Foy, highlighted how Taylor’s experience in prison had been crucial, enabling him to remain composed and make the right decisions under extreme pressure.