- Toni Kroos avoided a yellow card for an early foul on Spain midfield star Pedri
- Referee Anthony Taylor then showed a yellow card to Spaniard Robin Le Normand
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Fans questioned referee Anthony Taylor’s decisions during a tense Euro 2024 quarter-final between hosts Germany and Spain.
The Premier League referee was entrusted with the high-profile encounter by UEFA, supported by his assistants Gary Beswick and Adam Nunn, as well as VAR Stuart Attwell.
Taylor’s performance was highlighted early in the game after he chose not to book Toni Kroos for a foul on Pedri in the fifth minute.
The German midfielder surprised Pedri with a high tackle, and the Spaniard fell painfully to the turf.
Pedri was eventually forced off the pitch after reportedly suffering a knee injury, which could rule him out of the remainder of the tournament.
Toni Kroos fouled Spain star Pedri early in the quarter-final match in Stuttgart
The German midfielder avoided a yellow card from English referee Anthony Taylor
Taylor then harshly showed a yellow card to Spanish defender Robin Le Normand
Speaking to the BBC, former Chelsea and Scotland winger Pat Nevin expressed his surprise at Taylor’s decision not to book Kroos for the challenge.
“Toni Kroos completely missed his shot and took out Pedri – that’s the clearest yellow card you’ll see,” Nevin said.
“It’s difficult and every referee will deny it, but you can’t go out as a referee and have a game plan.
“Sometimes you have to make a decision early and I don’t think Anthony Taylor made the right decision.”
Nevin also claimed Taylor made a “horrible decision” later in the half in booking Spain defender Robin Le Normand, suggesting Germany’s Ilkay Gundogan had “thrown himself to the ground”.
The yellow card also meant Le Normand would be suspended for a possible semi-final if Spain qualified.
Taylor’s two key decisions in the first half drew criticism on social media.
“Anthony Taylor at it again, same story with the English referees,” wrote one fan. “They shouldn’t even be allowed to play in these tournaments, they need to be kept in the Premier League and kept out.”
England referee was busy in first half of intense Euro 2024 quarter-final clash
Taylor’s decisions not to warn Kroos but to caution Le Normand have been questioned on social media
“Anthony Taylor simply needs to set the tone from the start, he’s a terrible challenge on Pedri. It’s a yellow card, simple as that,” wrote another.
Journalist Tancredi Palmeri added: “Mah, the yellow for Le Normand is totally random, Taylor has completely lost his head, Germany was lucky with the referee.”
Taylor had shown two more yellow cards in the first half to Germans David Raum and Antonio Rudiger.
Rudiger’s yellow card would mean the defender would also be suspended if Germany reached the semi-finals.
Spain finally took the lead when Dani Olmo, replacing Pedri, scored six minutes into the second half against the hosts.
