Ex-Premier League referee Anthony Taylor lands surprise new job just two weeks after retiring

Anthony Taylor has landed a new role with the Turkish Football Federation two weeks after retiring from refereeing.

The former Premier League official confirmed he was hanging up his whistle following the World Cup.

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Taylor took charge of three matches at the tournament, with his last being Spain’s 1-0 win over Portugal in the round of 16.

Following a 24-year refereeing career, he announced he was retiring just days after the World Cup final.

New role

The 47-year-old has now revealed he has started a consultancy role with the Turkish Football Federation (TFF).

Taylor has been appointed as their new director of elite refereeing.

Confirming the news in a LinkedIn post, he wrote: “Following my recent announcement that I am retiring from elite refereeing after 16 seasons, I am pleased to share the next step in my career.

“From today, I will take up the consultancy role – ‘Director of Elite Refereeing’, with the Turkish Football Federation.

“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 Türkiye.

“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’s arrival comes less than a year after the TFF was rocked by a referee betting scandal in October 2025.

The Football Federation found that professional referees were engaging in widespread gambling on football.

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It was discovered that 371 out of 571 active officials held betting accounts, whilst 152 of those were breaching FIFA and UEFA rules by betting on matches.

As part of plans to rebuild their reputation, the TFF subsequently revealed plans for a nationwide referee training programme.

Taylor’s refereeing career

Taylor now joins the TFF to oversee their elite refereeing division.

Turkey did not have a single official present at this summer’s World Cup.

Meanwhile, Taylor’s involvement marked his second successive appearance at the finals.

Having started his refereeing career in 2002, he later became a FIFA referee in 2013.

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It came three years after he had first officiated in the Premier League, with Taylor amassing 433 matches during 16 years in the top-flight.

He also officiated two FA Cup finals as well as the final of the Europa League. He also refereed at the Club World Cup and Nations League during his career.