Anthony Taylor, one of the most prominent referees in English football, has retired from officiating at the age of 47, bringing an end to a career spanning 16 years and more than 800 matches. Powered by: 00:00 Anthony Taylor (in black) has retired. Photo credit: Julian Finney. Source: Getty Images Taylor made his retirement announcement through the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL), the body responsible for employing and managing referees across the Premier League and English Football League. His final assignment came at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, where he took charge of the Round of 16 contest between Spain and Portugal, a fitting conclusion to a career that took him to the summit of the sport. “Officiating at the elite level has been an immense privilege, but the pressure is intense, and the scrutiny is constant. The time is now right to step aside and look forward to transitioning to the next chapter of my career,” he said.
How Much Do Premier League Referees Earn? Taylor’s retirement raises fresh interest in the financial structure for professional referees in England. PGMOL-employed officials at the highest tier, classified as Select Group One (SG1), earn an average annual salary of £180,000 (KSh 31 million), with additional match fees paid on top of that base figure, as BBC Sport reports. Referees who officiate in European competitions can earn additional payments beyond their domestic arrangements, and performance-related bonuses are also part of the overall package for some officials. Assistant referees operating at the same Premier League level earn an average of £110,000 (KSh 19 million). A tier below, Select Group 2 referees, who are assigned to Championship matches, earn around £120,000 (KSh 20.7 million) annually. Why English referees can’t officiate Argentina games We also highlighted facts about why English referees like Anthony Taylor are barred from officiating any Argentina games at World Cup level.
The stakes are high, as their chances of reaching the tournament final hinge on the outcomes of pivotal matches, raising questions about fairness and diplomacy at the highest level of sport.
