The Premier League has announced that referee Anthony Taylor is going to take charge of the game between Leeds United and Arsenal on Sunday and plenty of fans are concerned.
The 42-year-old has reffed six Premier League games so far this season, including the 4-3 win for Leeds against Fulham.
In all, he’s taken charge of 264 games in the top-flight as well as 17 Champions League matches.
He’s certainly got experience but there are plenty of Leeds fans who think he’s a bad referee and still remember his “shambolic” performance in the game against Sheffield Wednesday from 2016.
In that game, chasing a 2-0 deficit, Leeds scored after Taylor allowed a corner kick to be taken while subbed Fernando Forestieri was taking his time getting off the pitch.
He awarded the goal then chalked it off, leaving Leeds manager Steve Evans incensed and saying he was only fit for the Under-9s league.
He also took charge of the FA Cup game between Leeds and Arsenal in January, with some Leeds fans complaining about his display there.
Or 3rd or 4th if memory serves me right
— Dave P (@prendeda) November 16, 2020
and Lacazette a red for that stamp on Douglas
— Armo☀️🌙 🏆 (@Jordan_Armo) November 16, 2020
On hearing he’s going to take charge at Elland Road on Sunday, one Leeds fan said, “Oh dear, we are in trouble”, while another said, “Noooo, got to be one of the worst referees in the Premier League.”
One other fan said it didn’t matter who the ref was – and that the more important man is the one in charge of VAR.
That comes after Mike Dean ruled a Patrick Bamford goal offside from Stockley Park in the last game out against Crystal Palace.
The man in charge of VAR on Sunday? Neil Davies. Hopefully a name we won’t get to hear much about.
Meanwhile, here are the best reactions from concerned Leeds fans…
Noooooooo , got to be one of the worst referees in the PL
— Stuart Weinstock (@StuartWeinstoc1) November 16, 2020
Always remember his shambolic performance away v Sheff W 🙄🙄
— Russ Pagdin💙💛🏆 (@RussPagdin) November 16, 2020
Worst ref in the PL.
— Dan O’Carroll #WearAMask (@DanOCarroll9) November 16, 2020
Awful ref
— Dave Cucumber 💙💛 (@stvechn) November 16, 2020
Doesn’t matter who refs. This will get us back on track. MOT
— steve botham (@stevebotham5) November 16, 2020
— Tom (@TxmH___) November 16, 2020
It doesn’t matter who the ref is anymore it’s VAR who are spoiling the game
— John Cunningham (@JohnCun47069856) November 17, 2020
He must have something on Mike Riley to keep getting all the televised Sky games!
— Steve (@skiersteve23) November 16, 2020
same anthony taylor that reffed leeds v arse in the fa cup last year and xhaka committed about 1/2 dozen fouls and didn't even get a yellow, THIS GUY IS A JOKE
— emilio goodalli (@winkingwolf) November 16, 2020
In other Leeds United news, ‘Poor fella… burnt out’, ‘Ridiculous’ – Some fans react to Weds int’l display from Leeds star
