Referee Anthony Taylor will not officiate a Premier League match this weekend following online abuse after Chelsea's 1-0 win at Bournemouth. The 45-year-old issued a record 14 yellow cards during the game, eight of which went to Chelsea players.
The Professional Game Match Officials Limited confirmed on Tuesday that Taylor will serve as fourth official for two matches: Southampton vs Ipswich on Saturday and Brighton vs Nottingham Forest on Sunday. Both Chelsea and Bournemouth face £25,000 fines from the Football Association for accumulating more than six yellow cards in a single match.
Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca defended the number of cards, stating: 'It's not a problem this amount of yellow cards. It is what it is. I complained about a foul on Wesley Fofana, which, for me, was quite clear. But it can happen, eight yellow cards, probably because these sort of games are about duels and fight.'
Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola disagreed, describing the match as not 'aggressive or violent' and expressing frustration with the officiating. He said: 'I will not talk about the referee. I have been talking and it is not working so I have decide now I will try the opposite and see what happens.'
