The quarterfinals of the 2024 European Championships saw a fiery clash between Spain and Germany, with referee Anthony Taylor at the center of controversy. Handing out a staggering 13 yellow cards, Taylor’s performance has sparked outrage among fans, who fear his management of the game could “ruin the semifinal” set to take place on Saturday.v

Critics on X have been scathing in their assessment, with one fan declaring “Anthony Taylor at it once again, same old story with English referees. They shouldn’t even be allowed at these tournaments, keep them in the Premier League and stay away!” Another went as far as to accuse the official of embodying the “Premier League philosophy of manslaughter.”

While the cards did not directly impact the outcome, they will have significant consequences, with both Alvaro Morata and Robin Le Normand of the Spanish side receiving their second yellows and set to miss the next match. Real Madrid’s Dani Carvajal also saw red after two bookings.

Yet, the criticism extends beyond Taylor’s card-happy approach. Fans have also lambasted the referee for failing to punish a dangerous challenge by Germany’s Toni Kroos on Spain’s Pedri, which resulted in the young midfielder being forced off with an injury that could rule him out of the remainder of the tournament.

As the focus shifts to the semifinal, which will also be overseen by an English official in Michael Oliver, the lingering concerns over refereeing standards threaten to cast a shadow over the proceedings. The battle for European supremacy may well hinge on the officials’ ability to maintain control and ensure a fair contest befitting of the tournament’s grand stage.