- Listen to It’s all about to begin! EUROS DAILY: Gareth Southgate has become a bit cocky… and the mask has fallen
- Anthony Taylor angered German fans by not awarding a penalty against Spain
- Italian official Daniele Orsato expected to officiate at Euro 2024 final
Anthony Taylor has returned to England, while departing Italian Daniele Orsato will take charge of the 2024 European Championship final.
The Premier League referee has been criticised by angry Germany fans after he denied appeals for a penalty in the quarter-final against Spain, with 32,000 people signing a petition calling for him to be reprimanded and the match replayed.
However, Mail Sport understands his departure from the country is due to the slim chances of him being selected for the tournament in Berlin, largely due to England progressing to the semi-finals.
Although no final decision has been made, Orsato, who led the Three Lions’ victory over Switzerland, is believed to be in pole position.
The 48-year-old referee has been a FIFA referee since 2010 and officiated at the 2020 Champions League final. He will retire after the competition.
Anthony Taylor infuriated German fans after failing to award them a penalty in their loss to Spain
Jamal Musiala’s shot hit the hand of Spaniard Marc Cucurella in the penalty area in extra time
Premier League referee Taylor has now returned to England after his work at the tournament
Poland’s Szymon Marciniak, who refereed the 2022 World Cup final, will also be present.
Taylor has become the target of widespread online abuse after refusing to shake hands with Chelsea’s Marc Cucurella in a match that Spain won 2-1 after extra time, prompting the tournament host to resign.
However, reports in Germany that he ‘fled the scene’ after the match appear to be untrue.
Sources have revealed that while Germany’s assistant coach did enter the referee’s room to ask for an explanation – and subsequently received one – there was no heated argument or series of insults from Sandro Wagner.
Italian name Daniele Orsato is the favourite to lead the final of the 2024 European Championship on July 14
Szymon Marciniak, who refereed the 2022 World Cup final, is another name in the frame
Instead, a quiet conversation took place, after which Taylor left after taking a shower.
UEFA later backed Taylor’s decision, as Cucurella’s hand was not in an unnatural position.
