Roma Fans Rejoice as Controversial Referee Anthony Taylor Retires After 2023 Europa League Final Fury

FolioPitch.com – 22 July 2026 | Roma fans mock Taylor after 2023 Europa League referee who infuriated Mourinho retires, as social media erupted with memes and sarcastic celebrations following the announcement that English referee Anthony Taylor has officially retired. The 47-year-old, who spent 16 years as a Premier League official and 14 years on the FIFA list, including two World Cups, decided to hang up his whistle, but for Roma supporters, the news was long overdue. Taylor’s performance in the 2023 Europa League final between Roma and Sevilla remains a sore point, with fans and then-coach Jose Mourinho accusing him of bias. “Roma fans mock Taylor after 2023 Europa League referee who infuriated Mourinho retires” became a trending sentiment on Italian social media, as supporters posted images of soldiers reading newspapers with headlines like “Hitler Dead” and captions such as “three years too late.”

The 2023 final in Budapest ended in heartbreak for Roma, who lost to Sevilla on penalties. Taylor was widely criticized for several decisions, including not awarding a foul on Paulo Dybala and failing to punish Sevilla players for time-wasting. Mourinho confronted Taylor in the stadium car park after the match, leading to a four-match UEFA ban for the Portuguese coach. “The referee seemed Spanish,” Mourinho fumed in post-match interviews, calling the defeat “unjust.” Roma fans mock Taylor after 2023 Europa League referee who infuriated Mourinho retires, and the abuse was so severe that Taylor and his family required a security cordon at Budapest airport to escape the angry crowd. Taylor later told the BBC it was “the worst situation I’ve dealt with in terms of abuse,” noting that even though there were no major mistakes in the game, the hostility was extreme.

Now, with Taylor’s retirement, Roma fans have taken to social media to express their joy. “Finally free,” one fan wrote, while another posted a meme comparing Taylor’s retirement to a victory celebration. The hashtag #TaylorRetired trended briefly among Italian football accounts. The reaction underscores the lasting bitterness from that night in Budapest. Roma fans mock Taylor after 2023 Europa League referee who infuriated Mourinho retires, and it is clear that for many, the memory of Taylor’s officiating will not fade easily. Taylor’s decision to retire comes after a long career that also saw him referee the 2022 World Cup final and multiple Premier League classics, but his legacy in Italy is forever tainted by that one match.

Reflecting on his career, Taylor acknowledged the toll of abuse on officials. “People need to understand the impact of their behaviour on others,” he said. However, for Roma fans, there is no sympathy. The club has moved on under new coach Daniele De Rossi, but the grudge against Taylor remains a unifying thread. The retirement announcement was met with sarcastic congratulations and mock funerals, with some fans even suggesting that Taylor should have been banned from European football entirely. “Roma fans mock Taylor after 2023 Europa League referee who infuriated Mourinho retires” is a phrase that encapsulates the unresolved anger, a reminder that in football, some wounds take longer to heal than others.

As for Taylor, he leaves behind a career marked by high-profile matches and controversy. His retirement officially ends one of the most contentious relationships between a referee and a fanbase. While he may be remembered for many things, in Rome, he will be remembered as the man who cost them a European trophy. And now, with his whistle silent, Roma fans can finally celebrate—if only in mockery.