Demoted Premier League referee Anthony Taylor is slammed by fans on social media following controversial penalty decision… with some claiming the under pressure referee should be officiating in League One

• Anthony Taylor has been slammed by fans awarding a controversial penalty 
• The incident took place during Preston North End’s clash with Coventry
• Listen to the latest episode of Mail Sport’s podcast It’s All Kicking Off 

Football fans have slammed under pressure referee Anthony Taylor for his performance during Preston North End’s clash with Coventry City. 

Taylor, 45, has made the headlines yet again for the wrong reasons after he awarded Preston a penalty in their Championship showdown with the Sky Blues.

He was demoted to the Championship for the first time in four years after awarding Newcastle a controversial penalty against Wolves back in October.

Taylor came under fire from a range of different voices after handing the visitors the penalty at Molineux, which allowed Newcastle to go ahead in the first-half. The referee pointed to the spot after Hwang Hee-chan brought down Fabian Schar whilst attempting to clear the ball, and had his decision rubber-stamped by VAR.  

Wolves manage Gary O’Neil – who has previously been outspoken on refereeing issues after Wolves were on the receiving end of two more controversial decisions against Manchester United and Luton Town this season – called Taylor’s call ‘scandalous’. 

Football fans have slammed Anthony Taylor for his decision to award Preston North End a penalty against Coventry City on Saturday

The official was demoted to the Championship after he oversaw a controversial call in October that saw Newcastle awarded a penalty

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‘(Newcastle’s) second goal was never ever a penalty, ever,’ he told Sky Sports.

‘It was a terrible decision on-field and from VAR (but) we managed to bounce back.’

The 45-year-old referee now finds himself at the heart of another controversial decision. 

During the first-half of Preston’s clash with Coventry, Kyle McFadzean was adjudged to have brought down Milutin Osmajic inside the box – with Taylor awarding a penalty. However, replays showed that the defender made minimal contact. Alan Browne would go on to score the spot-kick – with the home side then going on to win 3-2.

Fans have since taken to social media to express their anger over the decision.

One fan took to X, formerly known as Twitter, claiming that Taylor should be officiating in League One.

‘Anthony be on league one duty next week, feel sorry for league one,’ the post reads. 

‘Anthony Taylor gonna keep going until he hits the Northern Premier League Div 1,’ another post reads. 

Kyle McFadzean was adjudged to have brought down Milutin Osmajic inside the box in the first-half

Taylor was quick to award the penalty – with Alan Browne going on to score from the spot

Fans have since taken to Twitter to give their thoughts on Taylor’s decision to award the penalty 

While a third commented: ‘Coming to a National league ground near you, very soon.’

‘Anthony Taylor making a shocker of a decision in the Championship after being dropped from the PL? He’ll be refereeing Sunday league by the end of November,’ a third commented.

While Taylor has come under scrutiny for his decision to award the penalty, a few fans believe that the referee made the right call. 

‘Defender attempts to pull down striker, knocking him off his stride and impending his attempt at shooting but we don’t think it’s a penalty. I have no words,’ one user tweeted.

‘I can see why it’s given. The defender is nowhere near playing the ball & whether he slips or deliberately pushes the attacker the ref interprets it as enough to put the attacker off & send his shot wide’ another commented.

While many believe he made the wrong call, there are a few who agree with the decision

A third tweeted: ‘Probably enough in that to justify a foul. But IF it is a foul it’s got to be a red card. That’s the real issue. Either stick with your decision and follow through or don’t give it in the first place. What he’s done there is bend the rules because he’s afraid of the decision.’ 

Taylor is not the first Premier League official this season to be sent down to the Championship in response to decision making.

Adrian Holmes was sent to run the line during Millwall’s home match against Hull in October – after incorrectly deeming Luis Diaz’s goal offside during the much-discussed VAR brouhaha when Liverpool met Tottenham in north London.

IT’S ALL KICKING OFF! 

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