Former Premier League referee Anthony Taylor has been appointed as the Turkish Football Federation’s (TFF) Director of Elite Refereeing, marking the beginning of a new phase in his football career following his retirement from officiating.
Taylor, 47, officially retired last month after an accomplished 20-year career and said he is eager to contribute to the development of refereeing standards in Turkey.
“I am delighted to be joining the Turkish Football Federation and look forward to the opportunity ahead,” he said.
His appointment comes less than a year after Turkish football was shaken by a major refereeing betting scandal. A five-year investigation revealed that 371 out of the country’s 571 match officials operated betting accounts, sparking widespread calls for reforms within the officiating system.
Commenting on the need for change at the time, TFF President Ibrahim Haciosmanoglu said:
“If we want to bring Turkish football to the place it deserves, we have to clean up whatever dirt there is.”
Taylor’s appointment was announced through Trinity Chambers, with barrister Fraser Williamson representing him during the recruitment process.
According to the legal firm, the former English referee will oversee the strategic and technical advancement of elite refereeing in Turkey, helping the federation improve officiating standards in line with UEFA and FIFA expectations.
Williamson praised Taylor’s appointment, saying:
“Anthony’s achievements within football speak for themselves, and this role presents an exciting opportunity to contribute to the continued development of elite refereeing in Turkey. I wish him every success in what I am sure will be a rewarding and successful chapter.”
Taylor concluded his refereeing career after officiating Spain’s 1-0 victory over Portugal in the Round of 16 at the 2026 FIFA World Cup on July 6.
Over two decades, he took charge of 668 professional domestic matches after joining the Premier League’s list of referees in 2010. His distinguished career also included officiating at Euro 2020 and the 2022 and 2026 FIFA World Cups.
Reflecting on his retirement, Taylor said the demands of elite-level officiating influenced his decision to step away.
“Officiating at the elite level has been an immense privilege, but the pressure is intense and the scrutiny is constant.
“The time is now right to step aside and look forward to transitioning to the next chapter of my career.”
