Anthony Taylor, a Premier League referee, has faced consequences for his controversial penalty decision during the recent match between Newcastle and Wolves. Following the divisive call on Saturday, Taylor has been demoted to the Championship, where he will officiate the second-tier clash between Preston and Coventry. This marks his first Championship assignment since 2019.
Taylor’s decision to award Newcastle a contentious penalty against Wolves at Molineux sparked widespread criticism and led to his demotion. The penalty, which allowed the Magpies to take the lead in the first half, was given after Hwang Hee-chan brought down Fabian Schar while attempting to clear the ball. Taylor’s call was subsequently confirmed by VAR, despite heated debates about its legitimacy.
In response to the incident, Wolves’ manager, Gary O’Neil, expressed his discontent, calling Taylor’s decision “scandalous.” O’Neil has been vocal about refereeing issues, citing two other controversial decisions against his team earlier in the season, involving matches against Manchester United and Luton Town.
Hwang Hee-chan, who later scored the equalizer for Wolves, expressed his sadness regarding the decision and maintained that he did not believe it was a penalty. However, he found motivation in the trust and support of his team, ultimately contributing to the comeback.
Off the pitch, Wolves fans voiced their displeasure, with some labeling the Premier League as “corrupt” in response to the penalty decision.
Anthony Taylor’s demotion to the Championship is not an isolated case, as it follows a trend this season where Premier League officials have been sent to lower divisions as a response to refereeing errors, underlining the significance of maintaining the integrity of the sport.
