Roma Fans Accost Referee at Airport After Europa League Final Defeat

Fans of AS Roma upset with their team’s loss to Sevilla in the UEFA Europa League final in Hungary on Wednesday, May 31, hurled abuse at match referee Anthony Taylor after spotting him and his family at Budapest International Airport on Thursday.

Footage from the airport shows police escorting Taylor and his family past hostile crowds at a cafe and into a secure area. Moments later, a chair and bottle are hurled in their direction.

The incident occurred after Roma coach Jose Mourinho was filmed saying Taylor’s failure to award a penalty kick to Roma for an alleged handball was a “f****** disgrace,” and after Roma General Manager Tiago Pinto, in a statement to ANSA, criticized several of Taylor’s decisions during the match.

Professional Game Match Officials (PGMOL), the company responsible for refereeing English professional football matches, issued a statement condemning the behavior of the Roma fans:

“PGMOL is aware of videos circulating on social media showing Anthony Taylor and his family being harassed and abused at Budapest Airport. 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.” Credit: @lo.scomm via Storyful