LATEST NEWS: PGMOL Reprimands Referee Anthony Taylor Following Record 14 Yellow Cards Issued in Chelsea vs Bournemouth Game
Referee Anthony Taylor, known for issuing a record 14 yellow cards in Chelsea’s 1-0 win over Bournemouth, will not be officiating any Premier League matches this weekend. This game saw Taylor hand out the most yellow cards ever recorded in a Premier League match, a result of numerous fouls and disputes rather than extreme violence.
Chelsea’s victory was significant, marking their first Premier League win since late August and helping them close in on the top four. Christopher Nkunku scored the sole goal, with an assist from new signing Jadon Sancho. Despite the high number of yellow cards, the match was not particularly rough, with most cards given for repeated fouls and arguments.
This weekend, Taylor will not officiate any Premier League games but will serve as the fourth official for Ipswich Town’s match against Southampton and then again for Brighton’s game against Nottingham Forest. It’s common for referees to switch between roles, such as fourth official or VAR duties.
Taylor has been quite active this season, refereeing four Premier League games, including fixtures involving Chelsea and Liverpool. Former referee Dermot Gallagher noted that once Taylor started issuing yellow cards, he needed to continue to maintain control of the game. Taylor’s decisions have generated considerable debate among fans and experts, highlighting the challenges referees face in high-pressure matches.