Chelsea fans are furious with the appointment of Anthony Taylor for their upcoming Premier League clash with Liverpool.
Chelsea fans have slammed the Premier League's decision to appoint Anthony Taylor as the referee for their clash against Liverpool at Stamford Bridge next month. The Blues will take on Jurgen Klopp's side in eight days' time in what is likely to be a crucial game in deciding the fate of their season, but their fans are furious that Taylor has been chosen to oversee the clash due to their past history.
Taylor has not taken charge of a Chelsea game since he was behind the whistle for their 2-2 draw with Tottenham back in August 2022. In that match, he was criticised for failing to spot a foul on Kai Havertz in the build-up to Tottenham's first goal and a potential red card offence from Cristian Romero that would have ruled out their stoppage-time equaliser.
After the game, then-Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel claimed "the whole dressing room" believed Taylor was against them after the German was sent off by the Manchester-born official for a scrap with Antonio Conte at the full-time whistle. He was fined £20,000 by the Football Association and warned of his conduct after also suggesting Taylor should not referee future Chelsea games.
“Maybe it would be better, maybe it would be better," he said, before later adding: “I don’t think that just some of the fans think that; I can assure you that the whole dressing room of us, every person thinks that."
Back in August 2021, Taylor was once again accused of acting against Chelsea in their draw against Liverpool at Anfield after Reece James was controversially sent off for handball inside the penalty box. The hosts equalised from the spot to make it 1-1, with Tuchel also in charge that day and just as livid with Taylor.
And it seems Chelsea fans have not forgiven the 44-year-old for his handling of their previous matches, taking to social media to register their fury at Taylor taking charge of the game following the Premier League's match appointment announcements.
Renowned Chelsea supporter @FrankKhalidUK said: "Please tell me this is an early April Fools joke", while @KenJustus1 wrote: "This guy again??? Bring back the petition".
One fan @CFCDUBois sarcastically wrote: "Anthony Taylor refereeing a high profile Chelsea game again? Nothing to worry about surely?"
Another @three_piegm said: "What is really wrong with the FA. [In] every Chelsea big match, the ref has to be Taylor."
One fan suggested Taylor's appointment could be so bad for Chelsea, Potter could be sacked: "Hear me out... with Potter as our manager now is the perfect time for Anthony Taylor to win the heart of Chelsea fans."
Chelsea fans' opposition to Taylor has even led some to create petitions with thousands of signatures, urging the footballing authorities not to place him in charge of their matches anymore. However, such pleas appear to have fallen on deaf ears with Taylor set to be the man in the middle when the teams meet on April 4.
He has been in charge of two Liverpool matches, meanwhile, overseeing the goalless draw in the Merseyside derby with Everton and a 2-0 win over Newcastle United for the Reds. The Manchester-based official has handed out 71 yellow cards and four reds in 20 Premier League matches this season.
