Anthony Taylor has flown home from Euro 2024. (Image: Getty)
Anthony Taylor has reportedly flown home from Euro 2024 because he doesn't expect to take charge of the final in Berlin on Sunday, even if England aren't involved. The Premier League referee has been at the centre of a wave of backlash since host nation Germany crashed out against Spain in the quarter-finals.
Taylor oversaw the clash in Cologne as Mikel Merino's acrobatic 119th-minute header earned Spain a dramatic 2-1 victory.
Early substitute Dani Olmo had fired the Spaniards ahead before Florian Wirtz blasted life back into Germany with a last-gasp equaliser in normal time.
And Julian Nagelsmann's side then thought they should've had the opportunity to take the lead from the penalty spot in extra time.
Jamal Musiala lashed a shot from the edge of the area, which struck the hand of Chelsea's Marc Cucurella, prompting rave cries for a spot kick.
But Taylor waved away the demands, adjudging Cucurella's arm to have been in a natural position low down and close to his body.
UEFA later poured cold water on the intense backlash aimed at Taylor, backing the 45-year-old's decision to ignore the penalty shouts.
German reports claimed that he 'fled the scene' after full-time, which further intensified the substantial online abuse aimed at him.
According to the Mail, over 32,000 furious fans signed a petition calling for Taylor to face punishment for his believed mistake and for the quarter-final to be replayed.
Jamal Musiala's shot struck Marc Cucurella's hand. (Image: Getty)
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However, the report adds that while Germany assistant Sandro Wagner entered Taylor's dressing room for an explanation, there was no furious row of verbal abuse.
Instead, Taylor offered Wagner a calm explanation before leaving the RheinEnergieSTADION after he had showered.
Despite the row fizzling out, Taylor is unlikely to officiate another game at Euro 2024 after returning to England in recent days.
He is said to have decided to go home due to the slim chance he will be called up for Sunday's mouthwatering showdown in Berlin.
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Italy's Daniele Orsato - who took charge of England's quarter-final victory against Switzerland - is in the frame to officiate the final, although no decision has been made yet.
The 48-year-old is set to retire after Euro 2024 and has previous experience overseeing huge occasions, refereeing the 2020 Champions League final between Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain.
Poland's Szymon Marciniak is also a strong contender, having taken charge of the 2022 World Cup final between France and Argentina.
Spain or France will face England or the Netherlands at the Olympiastadion following Tuesday and Wednesday's semi-finals.
