Anthony Taylor, the former Premier League and international referee, has taken up a new role as director of elite refereeing with the Turkish Football Federation. The 47-year-old officially retired from officiating last month after a career spanning two decades at the professional level.

Taylor’s refereeing tenure included overseeing 668 to 831 professional matches, depending on the count, domestically and internationally. He officiated in major tournaments such as Euro 2020 and the 2022 FIFA World Cup, with his final assignment being the World Cup round of 16 match between Portugal and Spain held in Dallas.

In his new role with the Turkish Central Refereeing Committee, Taylor will be responsible for leading the technical and strategic development of elite refereeing within Turkey’s football structure. He aims to support match officials across the federation and enhance the overall refereeing program, aligning it with standards set by UEFA and FIFA.

Taylor expressed enthusiasm for the position, noting the opportunity to apply his extensive experience at the highest levels of the sport to help advance Turkey’s refereeing standards. His appointment was confirmed by Trinity Chambers, a legal firm that handled the transition.

This move continues a recent trend of high-profile former English referees taking on senior refereeing roles abroad. Precedents include Howard Webb and Mark Clattenburg, who have both held prominent positions within Saudi Arabia’s football refereeing apparatus. Taylor spent 16 seasons officiating in England’s Premier League before his retirement.

The Turkish Football Federation has signaled ambitions to enhance the quality and professionalism of its match officials, and Taylor’s appointment is seen as a step toward that goal through international expertise and experience.