Anthony Taylor appointed director of elite refereeing at Federation
According to Championat.
Why this matters
The appointment of Anthony Taylor as the Turkish Federation's director of elite refereeing is a significant step towards the evolution of refereeing in the country. With his extensive experience in the Premier League, Taylor brings valuable knowledge that can help raise refereeing standards in the Süper Lig, a league that faces constant challenges in terms of scrutiny and competitiveness.
Main conclusions
- Anthony Taylor appointed as Federation's director of elite refereeing.
- Former Premier League referee takes charge of the Turkish Federation's (TFF) elite refereeing body after hanging up his whistle in July.
- Английский арбитр Энтони Тейлор, завершивший карьеру в июле, получил работу в Турции - Чемпионат.
Anthony Taylor, a former English referee who called time on his career in July, has been appointed director of the Turkish Football Federation's (TFF) elite refereeing body. The information, provided by the Daily Mail, confirms the experienced judge's immediate transition to leadership and development roles in the Turkish structure.
At 47 years old, Taylor will be responsible for the strategic design and technical development of Turkish referees, also taking charge of harmonizing processes with UEFA and FIFA guidelines. Its responsibilities will include the implementation of training programs, the modernization of game evaluation and analysis methods and the consolidation of a high-performance culture in national arbitration.
With a robust resume in the English top league, Taylor refereed 433 Premier League games over more than a decade of activity at the highest level. In addition to domestic competitions, he also received several international nominations, in the context of clubs and national teams, accumulating a total of 831 matches managed in his career. His last meeting as a judge was particularly impressive for Portuguese fans: Portugal–Spain, in the round of 16 of the 2026 World Cup, which ended in a 0-1 Spanish victory.
TFF's investment in a profile with European elite experience aims to accelerate the evolution of local arbitration, in a competitive league and under permanent scrutiny such as the Süper Lig. By bringing in a former referee accustomed to the demanding standards of the Premier League and big international nights, the Turkish federation seeks to reinforce the consistency of decisions on the field and the credibility of its staff, aligning procedures with best international practices.
In addition to continuing education and close monitoring of early and mid-career referees, Taylor is expected to play a central role in updating technology and methodologies — from refining VAR operational protocols to improving post-match reporting and feedback tools. The experience accumulated in high-pressure environments and large-scale games is seen as an added value to raise the level of demand and better prepare Turkish referees for European competitions.
The appointment of Anthony Taylor therefore represents a clear investment by the TFF in professionalism and rigor, with the aim of bringing Turkish arbitration closer to the benchmarks established by UEFA and FIFA. After ending a career with more than 800 matches refereed, the Englishman now begins a new cycle, this time away from the pitch, but with a direct impact on the quality of the game.
What happens next
With his new role, Taylor is expected to implement training programs and modernize assessment methods for Turkish referees. His experience in international competitions will also be crucial in aligning Turkish refereeing with UEFA and FIFA guidelines, promoting a culture of excellence that can benefit local football.
Frequently asked questions
What happened to Anthony Taylor?
Anthony Taylor has been appointed director of the Turkish Football Federation's elite refereeing body.
Who confirmed Anthony Taylor's nomination?
The information was provided by the Daily Mail.
Why has Anthony Taylor now been appointed to this position?
The TFF intends to accelerate the evolution of local arbitration by bringing in a former referee with elite European experience.
What changes will Anthony Taylor implement in Turkish refereeing?
He will be responsible for strategic design, technical development of referees, implementation of training programs and modernization of evaluation methods.
What is Anthony Taylor's previous refereeing experience?
Taylor refereed 433 Premier League games and a total of 831 career matches, including international competitions.