Anthony Taylor has refereed at the highest level, in England and in Europe, officiating some of the most dangerous attackers in the world, but it is not the first profession that the 42-year-old has had to encounter such people. These days, the worst punishment he can dish out is a red card, but before becoming an elite referee, he could lock you up in a cell.
Having started his refereeing career nearly 20 years ago, the 42-year-old was juggling his time on the pitch with being a prison officer whilst working his way up the football pyramid. Taylor may have encountered the likes of Diego Costa, Pepe, and Sergio Ramos, but the likelihood of him crumbling under their raging exploits seem slim. The Premier League referee believes his former job instilled a sense of calm and explains he does not feel the pressure when refereeing on the biggest stage. “Working in a prison meant I needed a lot of communication and management qualities to deal with daily situations”, he said. “I spent a considerable number of years working with those who suffered severe mental health problems, a lot of attempted suicides, that kind of thing. I’ve seen the depths that people can reach, sometimes through no fault of their own.” The referee is also part of the charity, ‘Prison Me! No Way!’ that helps educate young people about the consequences of being involved in crime. Making the right decision’s is the message that Taylor is trying to convey as that something that he is all too familiar with in the world of football. On average, a referee will have to make 245 of them every match and they are correct around 98% of the time. Taylor has also exclaimed the importance of sport and how it is essential in making sure young people stay out of crime. “The power of sport to influence behaviour is massive for me. And it’s under-used sometimes. You can use football as a vehicle to communicate to kids about hard work, respect, aspirations and overcoming difficulties” added Taylor.
Source: Birmingham Mail