Former Premier League and World Cup referee Anthony Taylor has been appointed director of elite refereeing at the Turkish Central Refereeing Committee, the organisation announced on Tuesday, August 4, 2026.

Taylor retired last month after a 22-year career during which he officiated 831 matches. His final assignment was the Portugal versus Spain World Cup round-of-16 game held in Dallas in July 2026.

The 47-year-old referee spent 16 seasons in the Premier League, overseeing 432 matches in England's top flight. Taylor said in a statement, "Having officiated at the highest levels of domestic and international football, I welcome the opportunity to bring that experience to a role focused on the strategic and technical development of elite refereeing in Turkey."

He added, "I will work with colleagues across the Federation to support the continued development of its match officials and strengthen the wider refereeing programme, in line with UEFA and FIFA standards."

Taylor follows in the footsteps of former English referees Howard Webb and Mark Clattenburg, who took senior refereeing roles in Saudi Arabia after retirement.

Sources