The Premier League are looking into the social media targeting of Anthony Taylor after his involvement in Chelsea win over Bournemouth on Saturday which broke the record for cards brandished.
The abuse, seen by Mail Sport and some of which was threatening towards the 45-year-old referee and his family, came after he showed 14 cards in total to players at the Vitality Stadium, and two more to coaching staff including Enzo Maresca.
Taylor has since been offered support as standard by the refereeing body PGMOL, whose appointments list for this weekend has now been finalised.
Taylor will not referee a match but instead act as fourth official twice – in Southampton versus Ipswich on Saturday and Brighton against Nottingham Forest on Sunday.
Among the abuse of Taylor, one social media user wrote he ‘needs to be killed and I’m not even joking’, adding: ‘Stone that MF to actual death.’
Anthony Taylor (pictured) broke the record for most yellow cards in a single Premier League game on Saturday
He booked eight Chelsea and six Bournemouth players, and has since been targeted by social media abuse, which the Premier League is now investigating
Another added: ‘Anthony Taylor I will find your family.’ Others grotesquely celebrated the idea of Taylor and his family being ‘found dead in their homes’.
Abuse such as this is reported to the Premier League via their dedicated system.
Each case is reviewed, reported to the relevant social media company, investigated and legal action taken where appropriate.
