LONDON - Anthony Taylor has once again taken centrestage for all the wrong reasons.
The English referee, who two weeks ago was in the centre of a storm when he sent off Chelsea's Reece James in the English Premier League match against Liverpool, had a moment to forget in Tuesday night's Champions League encounter between Dynamo Kyiv and Benfica.
The referee who earned high praise for his composed reaction in the way he handled the situation after Denmark's Christian Eriksen collapsed during the match against Finland at Euro 2020, this time earned the ire of Kyiv midfielder Denys Garmash for brandishing him the red car in the 82nd minute.
Garmash who produced a high tackle on Benfica midfielder Joao Mario was in utter bewilderment as Taylor showed him a yellow card followed by a red card as the official pointed to various areas of the pitch he allegedly had committed fouls.
The 31-year-old stood his ground and refused to leave the pitch as the decision left Kyiv players and staff on the touchline equally confused.
Taylor quickly realised his mistake and rectified it by showing Garmash only a yellow card.
It was an uncharacteristic error by the referee who has been officiating in the Premier League since 2010 and at international level since 2013. The 42-year-old has officiated two FA Cup finals and the 2020 UEFA Super Cup. - Agencies, September 18, 2021
