AS Roma fans have shown their worst side after the lost Europa League final against Sevilla. At Budapest airport, the Romans confronted Anthony Taylor, the Englishman who had to lead the final battle in the right direction. Images show how the arbitrator tries to squeeze through the crowd with his daughter and wife, when he is pelted and the skin is scolded.
Taylor was the target of disgraceful behavior from AS Roma’s coaching staff and players several times during the final. Under the leadership of José Mourinho, the bank jumped into the field in several decisions to express their dissatisfaction to the arbitration. This spilled over to the airport, where Roma fans had gathered to harass Taylor and his family. The images show how the Englishman tries to get away with his wife and daughter, when he is wished for everything.
Grazie papa di avermi fatto laziale ! pic.twitter.com/8YGcUdyKi7
— momo (@momo50SSL) June 1, 2023
Taylor is pelted with booze, has a chair thrown at his head, and has to dodge several gobs of spit as he enters a special entrance. Two men, believed to be Taylor’s acquaintances, try to keep the mob away from the family and engage in a verbal and physical battle. The panic in the eyes of Taylor’s wife and daughter speaks volumes. “We are appalled at the unjust and appalling conduct towards Anthony and his family,” the arbitrator said in a statement. “We will continue to give our full support to them.”
In international media, an accusing finger is pointed at Mourinho as the main instigator of the event. The Portuguese went completely crazy a number of times during the lost final and waited for the arbitrator in the parking garage around midnight. Mourinho wished Taylor, who was taken away in a van, everything, including calling him “a fucking disgrace”. “He looks like a Spaniard,” the Roma coach added.
Former referee Dick Jol has Friday in The Telegraph not a good word for Mourinho’s behavior. “When a well-known trainer like Mourinho rants against an arbitrator, you see that spill over to the public. Trainers and players who attack referees must realize that they have an exemplary function. I hope Taylor has made a report of what Mourinho has done in that parking garage yelled at him so that he still gets his penalty. If I had been the referee, I would have sent Mourinho away during the game.”