Anthony Taylor again! Croatia fans blast referee for offside shocker against Belgium in World Cup 2022

By Sunita Iyer | First Published Dec 1, 2022, 9:48 PM IST

During Croatia and Belgium's Group F encounter at the Qatar World Cup 2022, the 2018 runners-up were awarded a penalty - only to be overturned as offside by referee Anthony Taylor.

The Qatar World Cup 2022 has been marred with several VAR inconsistencies. Even if your nose hair is offside, the automated offside system used for the showpiece tournament will penalise you mercilessly. But as Croatians will confirm on Thursday, it still hurts to be surprised by a crazily slim margin. And believe it or not, referee Anthony Taylor, who has had a few controversial decisions recently, was in the thick of perhaps the harshest offside calls of all time during Croatia's Group F finale against Belgium.

Going against Belgium, the 2018 runners-up knew that a win would guarantee their advancement to the round of 16.

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Also read: 'Worst referee ever': Fans blast Anthony Taylor for shocker in South Korea's World Cup 2022 loss to Ghana

When referee Anthony Taylor called a penalty for a foul by Yannick Carrasco on Andrej Kramari, Croatia believed they had a golden opportunity to grab the lead in the first half. But as the ball was brought into the box, Taylor was called to the pitchside monitor to look for offside against Dejan Lovren while Luka Modric was poised to take the penalty.

Even though Lovren didn't touch the ball, the offside rule caused the penalty to be overturned.

You simply cannot explain or justify this. VAR and Anthony Taylor are disgraces that take away from the game. pic.twitter.com/1aPVTDTbya

— bo riski (@bo_riski)

A few days ago, Anthony Taylor sparked outrage during South Korea's 2-3 loss to Ghana. In the dying minutes of the 10-minute stoppage time, South Korea won the 12th corner of their clash but was not allowed to take the same by the English referee as he blew the full-time whistle. Irate South Korean players surrounded the official, and head coach Paulo Bento too rushed towards him. An argument between the South Korean coach and Anthony Taylor resulted in the former getting a red card.

Premier League followers instantly recalled Anthony Taylor's howlers during Chelsea's 2-2 draw against Tottenham Hotspur at the start of this season. Anthony Taylor's questionable handling of some of the events during the game left the Blue fans simply annoyed. After the match, supporters even started an online petition calling for Taylor to be barred from officiating Chelsea games in the future. The petition received more than one lakh signatures, and Thomas Tuchel, then manager of Chelsea, had categorically endorsed it.

Also read: Ban Anthony Taylor from refereeing Chelsea games, demand thousands of livid fans; Thomas Tuchel agrees

Croatia fans were miffed with Anthony Taylor's decision, with several users questioning how that was ruled offside. "Anthony Taylor and his EPL crew came to show how bad English refs are. How is that an offside," said one user on Twitter.

"I'm back to remind everyone again and again and again. Anthony Taylor is theeeeeee worst ref of all time," noted another annoyed fan, while a third remarked, "You simply cannot explain or justify this. VAR and Anthony Taylor are disgraces that take away from the game."

"Take VAR away and we'll still have terrible refs like Anthony Taylor… the fact is no matter what, getting a fair and good ref is basically impossible," said a fourth fan.

Here's a look at some of the reactions slamming Anthony Taylor and his refereeing skills:

Anthony Taylor and his epl crew came to show how bad English refs are. How is that an offside.

— Greatest Hokage (@Tobee_U)

Someone tell Anthony Taylor that Lukaku is a Chelsea player..

— nicci 🏳️‍🌈🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🇧🇷 ♡ ⭐️⭐️ (@niccijane_cfc)

I’m back to remind everyone again and again and again. Anthony Taylor is theeeeeee worst ref of all time.

— Digital (@Digitaldon11)

Take VAR away and we’ll still have terrible refs like Anthony Taylor… the fact is no matter what, getting a fair and good ref is basically impossible

— Bavarian Mexa (@BavarianMex)

Don’t think I have ever abused a single individual that much. Fuck Anthony taylor. Voldermort lookin ass. https://t.co/uIVtdjrzzQ

— J🇧🇷 (@raktfar)

😂 Anthony Taylor the 🤡

— SeAdOgPaTcH (@seadogpatch)

Anthony Taylor will be embarrassed he overturned that penalty when he looks back at it.

— BluenoseGreig (@BluenoseGreig)

Anthony Taylor couldn't admit he got a decision wrong so made up an offside. Classic. Remember when the guy lied when it was clear he didn't know the rules back for an Eto'o goal years back.

— Steve Harrison (@The2020)

anthony taylor can’t even see shit in front of him

— trillian mbappe (@rosecity_jo)

are you telling me anthony taylor is reffing the croatia game pic.twitter.com/6ppa6YCyZQ

— ً🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🇫🇷🇧🇷 (@kylicns)

Mateo Kovacic must be so fucking tired of Anthony Taylor

— Haz (@_Hazpilicueta)

7 VAR officials and then you tell Anthony fucking Taylor to make the decision, never offsides

— Josh 🌊 (@JJB330)

Anthony Taylor is a shit referee. https://t.co/Ky3BuWetvD

— Sim (@zzsimm)

Anthony Taylor can’t grow a SINGLE healthy hair follicle