Referee of Europa League final assaulted by AS Roma fans, one arrest

Hungarian police have arrested an AS Roma supporter for assaulting referee Anthony Taylor. This happened as the Englishman was trying to fly back home with his family at the Budapest airport on Thursday.

“An Italian citizen involved in the incident has been detained by police. Criminal proceedings are underway on charges of assault,” the airport reported in a statement.

The 44-year-old Taylor was the bitten dog with Roma’s supporters after Wednesday night’s Europa League final against Sevilla, lost by penalties. Roma coach José Mourinho waited for the referee in the stadium parking lot and called him “an idiot.”

Dozens of fans of the Italian club went a step further. The referee and his family were besieged at Budapest airport by Italian supporters, according to images circulating on social media.

Panic is visible in his partner’s eyes as the situation threatens to get out of hand. Dozens of Roman fans stand around the referee. There is chanting, shouting, pushing and throwing drinks. A chair even flies through the air, but by then Taylor, under escort, is safe in a room further away.

“The referee was recognized by Italian supporters as he sat in a restaurant waiting for his flight,” the airport reported. “Security immediately intervened and took the referee and his family to a lounge where he could safely wait for the plane.”

The English Referees Association reacted in horror to the footage. “We are appalled at the unjust and appalling behavior towards Anthony and his family,” a statement reads. “We will continue to give our full support to them.”

In a heated final, Taylor handed out as many as 14 yellow cards Wednesday night. His performance was praised by international media, but Mourinho was furious at the post-match press conference because, in his view, a whole series of questionable decisions went against his team.