Referee breaks Premier League card record and is suspended

A prominent figure among English Championship officials, Anthony Taylor was threatened on social media, as was his family, and is receiving protection from the category association’

One of the Premier League ‘s top referees , Anthony Taylor, will not officiate any English Championship games in the next round, this weekend. The Professional Football Officials’ Association of England (PGMOL, in English, in English) decided to preserve him, because he and his family have been the target of threats in recent days.

The threats came after his performance in last weekend’s game between Bournemouth and Chelsea (a 1-0 away win for the London side ). Anthony Taylor handed out 14 yellow cards to players in that match, six for Bournemouth and eight for Chelsea . It is a new record in Premier League history.

Two members of Chelsea’s coaching staff were also booked, including manager Enzo Maresca.

His performance in the Chelsea game is not the reason he will not referee in the next round, according to the English press. The real reason is the flood of threats he and his relatives have received on social media . The Premier League has a policy of monitoring such abuse and taking legal action when necessary.

The Premier League said on Tuesday that Taylor will be the fourth official for the game between Southampton and Ipswich Town next Saturday and the match between Brighton and Nottingham Forest the following day.

The same Anthony Taylor was the target of an attack by Roma fans just hours after last season’s Europa League final . Sevilla won the penalty shootout to win the title . The English referee was attacked at Budapest airport.