Ex-World Cup referee Taylor lands job in Turkish football after retirement

Former top English referee Anthony Taylor has begun a new chapter in football after being appointed director of elite refereeing at the Turkish Football Federation (TFF), just weeks after ending a distinguished career that saw him officiate some of the sport's biggest matches. The appointment was confirmed Tuesday by Trinity Chambers, with barrister Fraser Williamson representing Taylor during the recruitment process. The 47-year-old joins the TFF's Central Refereeing Committee (MHK), where he will oversee the strategic and technical development of elite referees as the federation seeks to strengthen its officiating program in line with UEFA and FIFA standards. Taylor will be responsible for developing top-level referees, improving performance assessment systems, enhancing referee education, refining match analysis and feedback processes, and helping shape long-term strategies for elite officiating across Turkish football.

"I am delighted to be joining the Turkish Football Federation and look forward to the opportunity ahead," Taylor said. Reflecting on his new role, he said elite officiating had defined his professional life for many years and that he was eager to apply his experience from the world's biggest competitions in a leadership position. "Having officiated at the highest levels of domestic and international football, I welcome the opportunity to bring that experience to a role focused on the strategic and technical development of elite refereeing in Türkiye," Taylor said. "I will work with colleagues across the federation to support the continued development of its match officials and strengthen the wider refereeing program in line with UEFA and FIFA standards." Taylor also thanked Williamson for representing him during the appointment process and said discussions held in Istanbul had reinforced his enthusiasm for the position. Williamson praised Taylor's remarkable career and said the new role would allow him to continue making a significant contribution to the game. "Anthony's achievements in football speak for themselves," Williamson said. "This is an exciting opportunity for him to contribute to the continued development of elite refereeing in Türkiye, and I wish him every success in what I am sure will be a rewarding and successful chapter."

Taylor retired from active officiating in July after more than two decades at the highest level of the game. His final match was Spain's 1-0 victory over Portugal in the round of 16 at the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Dallas, capping a career that included approximately 831 matches across domestic and international competitions. In England, Taylor officiated 668 professional domestic matches, including 432 Premier League games over 16 seasons after joining the Select Group of referees in 2010. He also took charge of virtually every major domestic showpiece, including the FA Cup finals in 2017 and 2020, the League Cup final in 2015, the Community Shield and the Championship playoff final. Before reaching the top level, Taylor worked as a prison officer while progressing through the English football pyramid after joining the Football League refereeing list in the mid-2000s. On the international stage, Taylor became a FIFA referee in 2013 and handled around 163 international matches. His résumé includes appointments at UEFA Euro 2020 and Euro 2024, the 2022 and 2026 FIFA World Cups, FIFA Club World Cups and several of UEFA's biggest finals, including the 2024 UEFA Champions League final between Borussia Dortmund and Real Madrid, the 2023 UEFA Europa League final between Sevilla and Roma, the 2021 UEFA Nations League final and the 2020 UEFA Super Cup.

Taylor arrives at a pivotal time for Turkish refereeing as the TFF continues efforts to improve standards and restore confidence in officiating. Last year, the federation concluded a five-year investigation that found 371 of 571 match officials had betting accounts, prompting TFF President Ibrahim Hacıosmanoğlu to pledge a sweeping cleanup of Turkish football. Taylor's appointment is widely viewed as part of that modernization effort, with his extensive experience expected to help strengthen referee development, education and performance systems. He also joins a growing list of prominent English referees who have moved into senior officiating leadership roles after retirement, following figures such as Howard Webb and Mark Clattenburg.

Source: Daily Sabah

UEFA Champions League 2026/27 – Third Qualifying Round (First Leg)

4 August 2026 

Ararat – Celje
Referee: Ivan Kružliak SVK (photo)
Assistant Referee 1: Branislav Hancko SVK
Assistant Referee 2: Ján Pozor SVK
Fourth Official: Peter Královič SVK
VAR: Benjamin Brand GER
AVAR: Anojen Kanagasingam SUI
Referee Observer: Edgar Steinborn GER

Levski – Qairat
Referee: Donatas Rumšas LTU
Assistant Referee 1: Aleksandr Radiuš LTU
Assistant Referee 2: Dovydas Sužiedėlis LTU
Fourth Official: Robertas Valikonis LTU
VAR: Fedayi San SUI
AVAR: Kęstutis Bartuškevičius LTU
Referee Observer: Rune Pedersen NOR

Mjallby – Slovan Bratislava
Referee: Nicholas Walsh SCO
Assistant Referee 1: Francis Connor SCO
Assistant Referee 2: Daniel McFarlane SCO
Fourth Official: Donald Robertson SCO
VAR: Andrew Dallas SCO
AVAR: Duncan Nicolson SCO
Referee Observer: Terje Hauge NOR

Hapoel Beer Sheva – Crvena Zvezda
Referee: Jesús Gil Manzano ESP
Assistant Referee 1: Guadalupe Porras Ayuso ESP
Assistant Referee 2: Javier Martínez Nicolás ESP
Fourth Official: Francisco Hernández Maeso ESP
VAR: Valentín Pizarro Gómez ESP
AVAR: Miguel Ortiz Arias ESP
Referee Observer: Martin Atkinson ENG

Dinamo Zagreb – Kauno Zalgiris
Referee: Erik Lambrechts BEL
Assistant Referee 1: Jo De Weirdt BEL
Assistant Referee 2: Kevin Monteny BEL
Fourth Official: Lothar D’Hondt BEL
VAR: Clay Ruperti NED
AVAR: Bert Put BEL
Referee Observer: Tomasz Mikulski POL

Olympiacos – Nec Nijmegen
Referee: José Sánchez Martínez ESP
Assistant Referee 1: Raúl Cabañero Martínez ESP
Assistant Referee 2: Juan López Mir ESP
Fourth Official: Víctor García Verdura ESP
VAR: César Soto Grado ESP
AVAR: Alejandro Muñiz Ruiz ESP
Referee Observer: Dejan Filipović SRB

Union St. Gilloise – Bodo Glimt
Referee: Irfan Peljto BIH
Assistant Referee 1: Senad Ibrišimbegović BIH
Assistant Referee 2: Davor Beljo BIH
Fourth Official: Miloš Gigović BIH
VAR: Ivan Bebek CRO
AVAR: Tihomir Pejin CRO
Referee Observer: Hugh Dallas SCO

Sparta Praha – Olympique Lyonnais
Referee: Serdar Gözübüyük NED
Assistant Referee 1: Patrick Inia NED
Assistant Referee 2: Rogier Honig NED
Fourth Official: Martijn Vos NED
VAR: Pol van Boekel NED
AVAR: Jeroen Manschot NED
Referee Observer: Vítor Melo Pereira POR

5 August 2026
Aarhus – Sabah
Referee: Rade Obrenovič SVN
Assistant Referee 1: Aleksandar Kasapovič SVN
Assistant Referee 2: Grega Kordež SVN
Fourth Official: Martin Matoša SVN
VAR: Matej Jug SVN
AVAR: Alen Borošak SVN
Referee Observer: Leslie Irvine NIR

Fenerbahce – Sturm Graz
Referee: Christopher Kavanagh ENG
Assistant Referee 1: Ian Hussin ENG
Assistant Referee 2: Neil Davies ENG
Fourth Official: Robert Jones ENG
VAR: Stuart Attwell ENG
AVAR: Peter Bankes ENG
Referee Observer: Markus Nobs SUI

Concacaf Refereeing Talent and Mentor Program 2026

The Concacaf Refereeing Talent and Mentor Program is a seven-month project that pairs 10 selected refereeing talents (from different tiers and member associations) with five experienced elite mentors with World Cup experience, creating a structured environment for accelerated refereeing development. The program emphasizes one-on-one mentorship, ensuring targeted growth rather than generic instruction. A key feature is the ongoing mentor–referee relationship, where mentors track performance and provide feedback across multiple domestic and international matches and learning environments.

The 2026 class features 10 referees from the Concacaf region: Amaury Majors (BER, 2000), Filip Dujic (CAN, 1994), Pablo Camacho (CRC, 1994), Minely Urena (DOM, 2000), Waldir Garcia (SLV, 1996), Kenisha Prescott (GUY, 1998), Selvin Brown (HON, 1993), Jorge Ojeda (NCA, 1992), Ray Torres (PUR, 1999), Nikolai Nyron (TRI, 1996). Participants will receive guidance from former World Cup referees: Joel Aguilar (SLV), Armando Archundia (MEX), Esse Baharmast (USA), Peter Prendergast (JAM), Sandro Ricci (BRA/USA), along with fitness mentor Alan Brown Morgan (CRC).

Source: Concacaf

Statement on behalf of UEFA and its 55 national associations

UEFA and its 55 member associations stand as one. We unanimously and unequivocally reject FIFA’s proposal to transfer ownership interests in the World Cup and other FIFA competitions to private investors. The World Cup cannot be treated as an investment product. It is one of football’s greatest sporting legacies. It has been built over generations by players, national teams and supporters across every continent. No part of it should ever be surrendered to private investors. The World Cup is not for sale. It is both irresponsible and indefensible that a proposal of such significance for football was conceived in secret and brought to the brink of approval without any meaningful consultation with those entrusted with stewarding the game. This is not merely a profound failure of leadership, but an abdication of FIFA’s duty as the custodian of world football. National associations around the world are now presented with an ultimatum: accept the irreversible capture of football’s greatest competitions or bear the consequences. This is not a “democratic decision”, but governance by intimidation – an act of coercion unworthy of an institution entrusted with the stewardship of the global game. But our opposition goes far beyond process. The moment external investors acquire ownership interests in FIFA competitions, football changes forever. Commercial return becomes a permanent obligation. Investor expectations become a daily pressure. From that moment onwards, every decision on the international calendar, every decision on competition formats and every decision shaping the future of football is no longer driven by what best serves the game, but by what best serves shareholders. This model has no place in world football. Football’s future cannot be dictated by the expectations of those whose first duty is to maximise financial return. Nor can the interests of national associations, leagues, clubs, players and supporters become subordinate to investor returns. Football cannot mortgage its future for financial gain. Europe’s position is clear. We will never lend this model our legitimacy. No one has the moral authority to sell what they merely hold in trust for the next generation.

As a result of today’s discussion, no UEFA national teams will participate in any FIFA competition for so long as these proposals remain alive, unless this proposal has been abandoned in its entirety and binding assurances have been given that FIFA will never again open its governance or competitions to private ownership. Nobody should be in any doubt: UEFA and its national associations will oppose these plans with absolute determination. There are moments when institutions are judged not by what they are prepared to accept, but by what they refuse to compromise. This is one of those moments. Some things are simply too important to sell. The FIFA World Cup belongs to football. It always will. And so long as Europe has a voice, it will never be for sale.

Source: UEFA

Cakir appointed Development Director in Russia

Following his role as a referee instructor at the FIFA World Cup, Cüneyt Çakir has been appointed as the Development Director for promising referees at the Russian Football Union. At the 2026 World Cup, he worked alongside Milorad Mazic, who is the Head of the RFU Referees Department. 

Cakir will be responsible for preparing and overseeing programs for the training and development of promising referees, as well as providing mentoring services, at the Russian Football Union. Cakir has been the Head of the Referees Department in Georgia since 2023.

Source: Serdar Akcer

European football aligns on refereeing matters ahead of 2026/27 season

Chief refereeing officers of all 55 European national football associations met last week with UEFA Refereeing Officers. The agenda of the meeting, which was also attended by a representative of IFAB, principally centred on changes recently introduced to the Laws of the Game with the aim of promoting greater consistency in the interpretation and application of the Laws across domestic and continental competitions. "The fact that all 55 national associations and UEFA have agreed on guidelines towards a more consistent approach to the application of the Laws of the Game marks a significant milestone," said meeting chair Roberto Rosetti, UEFA director for refereeing. "It will help improve the understanding of refereeing decisions among players, clubs, supporters and all stakeholders in the game. For the popularity of football it is essential to remove all doubt from the game and ensure that the laws are applied with clarity."

There was unanimous support for IFAB amendments for the 2026/27 season, designed to speed up restarts, protecting the game’s integrity and reducing unnecessary delays while preserving the excitement and quality of matches. This package of measures effectively addresses situations where time is wasted (goal kicks, throw-ins, substitutions, injuries), so guaranteeing longer time with the ball in play. Referees will be instructed to strictly and consistently enforce the new rules. Participants also aligned on the need for a more consistent approach to the involvement of Video Assistant Referees (VAR). Following the recent IFAB amendments to the VAR protocol, instructions were shared about the correct interpretation of "mistaken identity" situations, exactly in line with the welcome explanations offered by IFAB with their circular letter no. 34. More generally, it was reiterated that, in accordance with the protocol, VAR must only intervene in situations of "clear and obvious" error, i.e. when a referee decision is blatantly incorrect or when the referee has missed a clear incident. VAR is not meant to re-referee the game, it is an essential support to the referees, who must remain at the centre of all decision-making. Lengthy, microscoping reviews are often a symptom revealing that the decision on the field was not clearly and obviously incorrect, and should therefore be limited. Finally, participants underlined the importance of strengthening the cooperation protocol between team captains and referees to continue fostering greater respect for match officials. The decision will build on the approach successfully rolled out at UEFA EURO 2024. Further steps and initiatives aimed at providing clear guidance and supporting the consistent application of the Laws of the Game and the use of VAR across European football will be communicated in the coming weeks.

Source: UEFA

FIFA Intercontinental Cup 2026 – Match 1 (African-Asian-Pacific Cup Play-Off)

September 2026

Al Ahli – Auckland City

Referee: Amin Omar EGY (photo)
Assistant Referee 1: Mahmoud El-Regal EGY
Assistant Referee 2: Ahmed Hossam EGY
Fourth Official: Mahmoud Nagy EGY
VAR: Mahmoud Ashour EGY
AVAR: Tarek Magdy EGY

IFAB: “Mistaken identity” does not include simulation despite World Cup decisions

The International Football Association Board (IFAB), which determines the laws of the game, clarified that mistaken identity can only be used to identify the player who committed an offence rather than the offence itself being reviewed or changed, as in instances of player simulation. They added that the use of the mistaken identity clause going forward was subject to a review of the VAR protocol at the World Cup. This summer’s World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico had seen a number of new laws introduced, with the video assistant referees (VAR) given extended powers to intervene. Among the changes was VAR’s ability to step in the cases of mistaken identity on yellow and red cards. The rules of IFAB said ahead of the tournament that the VAR, who has independent access to match footage, may assist the on-field referee in the event of a ‘clear and obvious error’ or ‘serious missed incident’ in relation to mistaken identity, when the wrong player has been shown a yellow or red card. That, however, led to some confusion over the precise threshold of that law and whether it could include instances of simulation, resulting in a difference offence being charged. It was first used in the United States’ group-stage win over Paraguay, when Tim Ream was initially shown a yellow card by on-field referee Danny Makkelie for what was perceived as a trip on Paraguay attacker Miguel Almiron. The VAR Carlos del Cerro recommended a review based on ‘mistaken identity’, with the decision used to reverse the decision as Ream did not in fact make contact with Almiron. Makkelie reversed his initial decision and instead booked the Paraguayan for simulation.

Another high-profile use of ‘mistaken identity’ was used in Argentina’s quarter-final win over Switzerland, when Embolo initially was awarded a free-kick with Argentina’s Leandro Paredes booked for a challenge. Again, the VAR recommended the instance be reviewed as there was no contact from Paredes on Embolo, who was upon review deemed to have dived and was shown a yellow card — his second of the game — and sent off. The yellow for Paredes, meanwhile, was overturned. That proved a pivotal moment in the game, coming just five minutes after Switzerland had made it 1-1 in the last-eight tie, with Argentina going on to win 3-1 after extra time.

In a circular on Monday, the IFAB clarified VAR’s protocol on mistaken identity to confirm the original offence should not be overturned - as it was in the instances of Almiron and Embolo receiving yellows for simulation - and it can only be done so if the incorrect player was penalised based on the on-field official’s initial judgement. This was despite the IFAB stating that its use in retrospectively punishing simulation being “well received” during the tournament. “A yellow card (caution) which is not a second yellow card can only be reviewed to identify the player who committed the offence that was penalised; the offence itself cannot be reviewed/changed,” the ruling reads. “The use of the mistaken identity clause to deal with simulation during the World Cup was well received and will be included in the detailed review of the VAR protocol announced in circular no. 32. However, it may not be used as such until that review is concluded.” During the cases of Almiron and Embolo at the World Cup, the VAR advice was changing from the decision of a foul to a decision on simulation which meant reviewing different, subjective offences in which the on-field referee must visit the pitch-side screen.

Source: The Athletic

Slavko Vinčić ends his career after the World Cup final

A week after the World Cup final in the USA, Slavko Vinčić officially ended his historic refereeing career at the top of the world. As the first Slovenian referee, the Maribor native officiated the final of the 2026 World Cup between Spain and Argentina in East Rutherford, confirming his status as one of the greatest referees in history. As the crowning glory of his farewell season, the International Federation of Football History and Statistics (IFFHS) declared him the best referee of the World Cup, and in Italy he received the prestigious Giulio Campanati Award.

Slavko Vinčić, born on 25 November 1979, comes from Maribor and has been on the list of international referees since 2010. At the 2012 European Championship, he worked as additional AR and, along with the Slovenian team, reached the quarter-final between Greece and Germany. In 2013, he refereed at the final tournament of the U-17 Euro in Slovakia and reached the semi-finals, and in 2015, he refereed in the knock-out stages of European competitions for the first time, with the Europa League round of 16 match Guingamp - Dynamo Kyiv. At Euro 2016, he served again as additional AR for the Slovenian team led by Damir Skomina, and in the final round of the Champions League group stage in 2016, he made his debut in the elite club competition with the match Manchester City - Celtic. Since then, he has been regularly refereeing Champions League matches, and at the end of 2019, he was included in the elite group of European referees. He refereed at the 2017 FIFA U-17 World Cup in India, 2019 UEFA U-21 Euro in Poland, 2019 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Poland, Euro 2020 (including the quarter-final Belgium - Italy), 2022 Europa League final Eintracht Frankfurt - Glasgow Rangers, 2022 World Cup in Qatar, 2023 Nations League semi-final Spain - Italy, 2024 Champions League final Borussia Dortmund - Real Madrid, Euro 2024 (including the semi-final Spain - France), 2025 Nations League semi-final Germany - Portugal, 2025 FIFA Club World Cup and finally the 2026 FIFA World Cup Final between Spain and Argentina.

Source: NZS

UEFA Referee Talent and Mentor 2026-2027

Men (9): Antoni Bandic (BIH, 1990), Radoslav Gidzhenov (BUL, 1991), Patrik Kolaric (CRO, 1995), Samuel Barrott (ENG, 1992), Florian Badstübner (GER, 1991), Igor Stojchevski (MKD, 1989), Ishmael Barbara (MLT, 1993), Milan Milanovic (SRB, 1993), Oleksiy Derevinskyi (UKR, 1989).

Women (4): Kirsty Dowle (ENG, 1991), Lotta Vuorio (FIN, 1996), Franziska Wildfeuer (GER, 1993), Rasa Grigone (LTU, 1991).

UEFA Referee Coaches: Frank De Bleeckere (BEL), Silvia Spinelli (ITA), Matteo Trefoloni (ITA), Terje Hauge (NOR), Cuneyt Cakir (TUR)