The Turkish Football Federation has officially appointed Anthony Taylor as its new Director of Elite Refereeing, marking the start of a new chapter for one of football’s most experienced match officials.
In his new role, the 47-year-old will oversee the technical development of refereeing in Turkey, help train and mentor elite match officials, and strengthen the country’s overall refereeing programme. His appointment is aimed at improving standards and supporting the next generation of referees.
Taylor only recently brought an end to his distinguished on-field refereeing career after officiating his final match at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. His retirement concluded a career spanning more than two decades at the highest level of the game.
Widely regarded as one of England’s top referees, Taylor officiated numerous Premier League matches and was regularly selected for major UEFA and FIFA competitions, including the UEFA Champions League, UEFA European Championship, and FIFA World Cup.
Now stepping away from the whistle, Taylor will use his extensive experience to shape the future of refereeing in Turkish football, focusing on education, performance development, and raising officiating standards across the country.
