The PGMOL have issued a statement in solidarity with referee Anthony Taylor after he and his terrified family needed a police escort through Budapest Airport, as angry Roma fans confronted them.
Taylor, 44, became public enemy No.1 for the Italian giants following their Europa League final defeat to Sevilla on Wednesday. Roma boss Jose Mourinho branded his performance a "f****** disgrace" in the car park of the Puskas Arena, furious after his side's agonisingly loss on penalties which puts his future in deep jeopardy.
The Giallorossi raged at Taylor after he denied them a penalty in the second half of the match, as Sevilla defender Loic Bade blocked a cross by using his arm - deemed to be a natural position - with the scores at 1-1 and extra-time looming. Eventually, Wednesday's final did go all the way to a penalty shootout in which Mourinho's men missed twice and allowed their Spanish opponents to win a record seventh Europa League title.
There was still controversy in the shootout, as Roma goalkeeper Rui Patricio initially saved a decisive spot kick, only to be penalised for encroachment which allowed Sevilla's Gonzalo Montiel to score the retake. Footage emerged after the game of Mourinho yelling at Taylor in the car park, as he had done throughout the 120 minutes of action alongside his players, substitutes and coaching staff.
Now, the 44-year-old has received support from the PGMOL, who look after Premier League officials. "PGMOL is aware of videos circulating on social media showing Anthony Taylor and his family being harassed and abused at Budapest Airport," they said in a statement.
"We are appalled at the unjustified and abhorrent abuse directed at Anthony and his family as he tries to make his way home from refereeing the UEFA Europa League final. We will continue to provide our full support to Anthony and his family."
Having handed out a total of 13 bookings, eight for Roma and five for Sevilla, Mourinho also claimed that Taylor "seemed Spanish" "It was an intense, vibrant game with a referee who seemed Spanish," the Giallorossi manager told a post-match press conference. "It was yellow, yellow, yellow all the time."
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While former Chelsea, Manchester United and Tottenham boss Mourinho - who was shown one of Taylor's 13 yellow cards - has been slammed for his behaviour, the Manchester-born official continues to receive praise from neutrals for his 'exceptional' display. Ex-Premier League referee Mark Halsey declared on talkSPORT : "It was impossible for Anthony Taylor to control.
"I really thought the [refereeing] team did exceptionally well to keep 22 players on the field of play and Anthony refereed the game exceptionally well under extreme pressure from players and team officials. It's difficult in that situation because if you start handing out early yellow cards and sending players off, people will say the referee has ruined the game."
