Seasons » 2015-16 » Everton News
Martinez has no issue with Taylor as Wembley ref

Roberto Martinez has played down the potential flap over the appointment of referee Anthony Taylor as the referee for next weekend's FA Cup semi-final.
Citing the precedent of Tottenham supporters successfully campaigning to have Kevin Friend removed as the match official for their match against Stoke City because of his affiliation with title rivals Leicester, some Evertonians have questioned the decision to have the Mancunian Taylor take charge in the Blues' clash with Manchester United.
Martinez rejects, however, the idea that the integrity of Taylor or any other English official should be questioned.
“When I first came in the British game I was little bit surprised that referees were asked about the teams that they support. I think it's a cultural thing not to allow them to referee the teams that they support. That doesn't happen in other countries.
“In Spain, it depends on the region. Every region has it's own refereeing schools and obviously in that region you cannot referee the teams that are in that region but nobody wants to know if you support a team outside of your region.
“I think referees are just judged on whether they are [impartial] and that the integrity is there.
“I just don't there is a question of the integrity of our officials in this country; it's probably cleaner than in any other country so I don't think there's an issue in that.“
Reader Comments (34)
Note: the following content is not moderated or vetted by the site owners at the time of submission. Comments are the responsibility of the poster. Disclaimer
2 Posted 18/04/2016 at 18:48:54
3 Posted 18/04/2016 at 18:57:05
I read at the weekend that Taylor lives 2 miles from Old Trafford.
Not sure if that is true. Imagine if them across the park were in our position.
Do you imagine they would allow that?
4 Posted 18/04/2016 at 19:02:59
Taylor is a prick and unfortunately Bob will see us fuck up without his help. Let's be honest, if any of us were refs, can we honestly say we would be impartial?
If I was the ref the other day at Leicester, Vardy would have got the pen and 5 others and West Ham would have finished with 9 men.
5 Posted 18/04/2016 at 19:16:31
6 Posted 18/04/2016 at 19:18:29
If we get the perfect week we'll beat the shites, beat the Mancs and the Spaniard gets the sack regardless. Oh but then no, Luvvie Bill will make sure that doesn't happen.
7 Posted 18/04/2016 at 19:23:11
Taylor is one of the worst in my book but he shouldn't be used as an excuse for failure.
9 Posted 18/04/2016 at 19:26:29
10 Posted 18/04/2016 at 19:31:20
11 Posted 18/04/2016 at 19:39:27
12 Posted 18/04/2016 at 19:47:51
Games are sometimes, won and lost because of bad decisions, and it's no use moaning after the event, because it's way too late by then.
I would sooner have Clattenberg, than Taylor, and I find this decision to have a ref from Greater Manchester, so controversial. I really can't understand why The FA can make such a ridiculous decision, and I'm equally bemused why Everton have just accepted it.
13 Posted 18/04/2016 at 19:52:14
Really gets on my nerves blaming refs all the time. Sure they may make some bad decisions but that's just human error. If we do our job properly then no need to worry about the ref.
14 Posted 18/04/2016 at 19:54:12
If he is indeed a poor referee, this could work as much in favour of us as Man Utd. I believe we have far more worrying concerns (i.e. the manager, the form of the players) than to fret over what the ref might or not do to us.
15 Posted 18/04/2016 at 20:03:16
16 Posted 18/04/2016 at 20:40:32
17 Posted 18/04/2016 at 20:51:49
The manager and the players owe us that. No excuses now, roll those sleeves up and put a proper shift in.
COYB. Let's get behind our team and whatever the fall-out or moans, leave that 'till Sunday. NSNO, School of Science or the Dogs of War... our players should go out and battle till the end for us the fans who deserve that.
Never mind Martinez, Kenwright, Moshiri. You as players should be doing it for the best fans in the land. FACT!
18 Posted 18/04/2016 at 20:56:29
The young guy, Oliver I think he's called is a great ref. Mason was shocking at Leicester (I've been waiting for the ref's to derail Leicester's title charge, I really do hope they do win it).
Who's refereeing the Derby? Don't tell me it's Clattenberg? Now that would be our luck wouldn't it?
Going to remain positive for both games, well hoping we do the business, don't care if it's a wicked deflection in the 90th minute to steal it for us in both games, that'll do for me.
If it goes all wrong, Roberto will get it with every barrel, but until then it's hope and pray time!
19 Posted 18/04/2016 at 21:08:14
Stop being silly folks – it makes Evertonians look rather small and parochial.
20 Posted 18/04/2016 at 21:42:46
I'm hoping for some good surprises, this week. If we we turn up in both games, then that would be good, and if we can take a result from the RS, then who knows,what Saturday will bring EFC. The nature of both games, means that the teams have got to be 100% up for a fight and long battle. Skill is needed but mental strength and will power in heaps are needed in the tool bag.
The Evertonians will never fail the team, and I'm hoping for the best win double pay out in recent times. NB I'm not deluded, and this is not a phenomenal vision, just a defiant Evertonian, haranguing for some much welcome good results. All the Best for this week to all Evertonians, where ever you may be.
22 Posted 18/04/2016 at 22:42:57
23 Posted 18/04/2016 at 23:02:13
We are not 2 miles from OT and I believe he follows Altrincham FC!!! I don't know if he follows Man City or Man Utd also. Hope that brings a little perspective. Whoever is the ref, they are pretty much useless. The standard this season is appalling and that in my opinion is across the whole league.
24 Posted 19/04/2016 at 03:21:09
If RM's memory can't stretch back to his first season with us, I suggest he goes to the club shop and gets the DVD; then he would really have an excuse to protest at this biased baldy twat being on the same pitch as our team
25 Posted 19/04/2016 at 05:04:23
27 Posted 19/04/2016 at 08:24:37
Paul (#19), you think that makes us small? Why? You obviously watch Everton, so do you not realise how badly, we have been treated by Anthony Taylor down the years?
I sometimes wonder if a few Evertonian have terrorised him on a train or somewhere else because, other than the penalty against West Ham (after sending off Mirallas), I've never, ever seen him give us a decision.
I honestly think that Man Utd, would have something to say if the ref was from Sefton, or Knowsley, Paul... and there are not many bigger clubs than them in world football.
28 Posted 19/04/2016 at 08:59:45
Otherwise Bobby will weild out another excuse.
29 Posted 19/04/2016 at 11:56:27
I agree with you that was a stonewall penalty and Alex danced on the line... don't you remember Moyes objected to having Mike Riley as the ref? We still got him but who knows what went through Riley's mind.
Martinez is too nice to complain... too clueless to be Everton's manager.
Osman Captain... enough said.
30 Posted 19/04/2016 at 12:32:26
But as said above; we'll probably fuck it up royally without his help.
31 Posted 19/04/2016 at 13:17:22
Over here, Phil Jackson, one of our great NBA coaches (Bulls, Lakers) routinely would point out things he didn't think the refs would get right or had missed the previous game in the playoffs. He did it just to influence them for the next game to call or not to call fouls in his team's favor.
33 Posted 19/04/2016 at 15:01:11
34 Posted 19/04/2016 at 15:08:19
Moyes got inside Mike Riley's head no doubt but didn't object to his appointment as far as I can remember. That's a subtle difference. I have no issue with Martinez trying the reverse psychology trick by pointing out Taylor's previous poor decisions that went against us but I don't think it's worth formally complaining about his officiating the game. There is no evidence as far as I can see that he favours United.
35 Posted 19/04/2016 at 15:09:58
36 Posted 19/04/2016 at 17:54:57
And there have been referees who have actually progressed in my view. Michael Oliver is one.
Can't think of any others offhand mind.
37 Posted 19/04/2016 at 21:09:35
38 Posted 20/04/2016 at 11:35:30
Damien, you might be right but I saw Taylor ref United at Bournemouth earlier in the season,and he never gave them anything either.
Why is it wrong to ask a ref who they supported when they were younger? Because very few people get into any sport without having a particular favourite.
Some refs definitely have an agenda, like Liverpool getting 3 pens, in one game at Old Trafford as soon as Ferguson left.
Add Your Comments
In order to post a comment, you need to be logged in as a registered user of the site.
Or Sign up as a ToffeeWeb Member — it's free, takes just a few minutes and will allow you to post your comments on articles and Talking Points submissions across the site.
1 Posted 18/04/2016 at 18:42:08
I genuinely feel that Anthony Taylor hates Everton, and with him being form Greater Manchester, we should put in a similar objection, especially with a precedent now set.
I'm aware that this sort of thing can back-fire, but with this man's previous when refereeing Everton, it's a chance I feel we must try and take. If Taylor was from Knowsley, do you think that Man Utd wouldn't object?