Former Premier League Referee Taylor Joins Turkish Refereeing Committee

 FIFA World Cup 2026 - Round of 16 - Portugal v Spain - Dallas Stadium, Arlington, Texas, US - July 6, 2026 Referee Anthony Taylor reacts REUTERS/Kai Pfaffenbach/File Photo
FIFA World Cup 2026 - Round of 16 - Portugal v Spain - Dallas Stadium, Arlington, Texas, US - July 6, 2026 Referee Anthony Taylor reacts REUTERS/Kai Pfaffenbach/File Photo
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Former Premier League Referee Taylor Joins Turkish Refereeing Committee

 FIFA World Cup 2026 - Round of 16 - Portugal v Spain - Dallas Stadium, Arlington, Texas, US - July 6, 2026 Referee Anthony Taylor reacts REUTERS/Kai Pfaffenbach/File Photo
FIFA World Cup 2026 - Round of 16 - Portugal v Spain - Dallas Stadium, Arlington, Texas, US - July 6, 2026 Referee Anthony Taylor reacts REUTERS/Kai Pfaffenbach/File Photo

Former Premier League and World Cup referee Anthony Taylor has joined the Turkish Central Refereeing Committee as director of elite refereeing, the organisation said on Tuesday.

Taylor retired last month following a 22-year career spanning 831 matches. The 47-year-old's final refereeing assignment was the Portugal v Spain World Cup round-of-16 game in Dallas last month.

"Having officiated at the highest levels of domestic and international football, I welcome the opportunity to bring that experience to a role focused on the strategic and technical development of elite refereeing in Türkiye," Taylor said in a statement, Reuters reported.

"I will work with colleagues across the Federation to support the continued development of its match officials and strengthen the wider refereeing programme, in line with UEFA and FIFA standards."

Taylor spent 16 seasons refereeing in the Premier League, overseeing 432 matches in England's top flight.



Turki Alalshikh Announces Riyadh Season Sponsorship of 2027 Spanish Super Cup in Istanbul

Chairman of the General Entertainment Authority, Advisor Turki Alalshikh (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Chairman of the General Entertainment Authority, Advisor Turki Alalshikh (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Turki Alalshikh Announces Riyadh Season Sponsorship of 2027 Spanish Super Cup in Istanbul

Chairman of the General Entertainment Authority, Advisor Turki Alalshikh (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Chairman of the General Entertainment Authority, Advisor Turki Alalshikh (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Chairman of the General Entertainment Authority (GEA) Turki Alalshikh announced Riyadh Season’s sponsorship of the 2027 Spanish Super Cup, which will be held in Istanbul, Türkiye, as part of Riyadh Season’s continued presence at major international sporting events.

Istanbul will host the Spanish Super Cup under an agreement between the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) and Sela, in cooperation with the Turkish Football Federation.

The tournament will take place at the Atatürk Olympic Stadium, one of the most iconic venues in football history, which hosted the UEFA Champions League finals in 2005 and 2023, and will now welcome some of Spain’s leading football clubs, SPA reported.

As part of this collaboration, Sela will oversee the Spanish Super Cup in Istanbul and will be responsible for managing the tournament’s commercial rights and operational delivery, in cooperation with the Royal Spanish Football Federation and the Turkish Football Federation, ensuring a world-class experience for clubs, players, broadcasters, partners, and fans.

Riyadh Season’s sponsorship of the tournament extends its role in supporting major sporting events and strengthening its international presence through partnerships with leading global sports institutions and competitions, helping reach new audiences and further enhance Riyadh Season’s presence on the global stage.

Barcelona, Real Madrid, Real Sociedad, and Atlético Madrid will participate in the tournament. The match schedule, ticketing details, as well as the accompanying fan programs and activities, will be announced at a later date.


Spanish Super Cup Will Be Held in Türkiye in 2027

Spanish Super Cup - Final - FC Barcelona v Real Madrid - King Abdullah Sports City Stadium, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia - January 12, 2026 FC Barcelona's Ronald Araujo lifts the trophy with teammates after winning the Spanish Super Cup final REUTERS/Stringer
Spanish Super Cup - Final - FC Barcelona v Real Madrid - King Abdullah Sports City Stadium, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia - January 12, 2026 FC Barcelona's Ronald Araujo lifts the trophy with teammates after winning the Spanish Super Cup final REUTERS/Stringer
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Spanish Super Cup Will Be Held in Türkiye in 2027

Spanish Super Cup - Final - FC Barcelona v Real Madrid - King Abdullah Sports City Stadium, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia - January 12, 2026 FC Barcelona's Ronald Araujo lifts the trophy with teammates after winning the Spanish Super Cup final REUTERS/Stringer
Spanish Super Cup - Final - FC Barcelona v Real Madrid - King Abdullah Sports City Stadium, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia - January 12, 2026 FC Barcelona's Ronald Araujo lifts the trophy with teammates after winning the Spanish Super Cup final REUTERS/Stringer

The 2027 Spanish Super Cup will be held in Türkiye at Istanbul's Ataturk Olympic Stadium, the Spanish Football Federation said Thursday.

The Final Four tournament will take place from February 2 to 7 and feature Barcelona, Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid and Real Sociedad, the federation said in a statement.

 

Barcelona are reigning Super Cup champions after beating Real Madrid in the 2026 final.

The Spanish Super Cup features the winners and runners-up of La Liga and the Copa del Rey.

 

 

 

 


Arbeloa Sent off and Fulham Walks off Before Penalty Shootout in Preseason Game Against Malaga

Real Madrid's head coach Alvaro Arbeloa looks out from the bench prior to the Spanish La Liga match between Real Madrid and Real Oviedo in Madrid, Spain, Thursday, May 14, 2026. (AP)
Real Madrid's head coach Alvaro Arbeloa looks out from the bench prior to the Spanish La Liga match between Real Madrid and Real Oviedo in Madrid, Spain, Thursday, May 14, 2026. (AP)
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Arbeloa Sent off and Fulham Walks off Before Penalty Shootout in Preseason Game Against Malaga

Real Madrid's head coach Alvaro Arbeloa looks out from the bench prior to the Spanish La Liga match between Real Madrid and Real Oviedo in Madrid, Spain, Thursday, May 14, 2026. (AP)
Real Madrid's head coach Alvaro Arbeloa looks out from the bench prior to the Spanish La Liga match between Real Madrid and Real Oviedo in Madrid, Spain, Thursday, May 14, 2026. (AP)

Fulham's preseason match against Malaga turned out to be not too friendly when the English club walked off and coach Alvaro Arbeloa was red-carded for complaining with the referees.

La Liga host Malaga scored a 90th-minute equalizer for 2-2. Malaga said a penalty shootout was scheduled. Fulham said there wasn't. Malaga kicked a penalty into an open net and claimed the Costa del Sol trophy on Wednesday.

Fulham said on X: “We can confirm that prior to the match, both teams agreed that there would not be a penalty shootout in the event of a draw."

Former Real Madrid coach Arbeloa was sent off for arguing with the officiating crew at the end of the match.

Malaga said a penalty shootout was scheduled but “Fulham left the pitch claiming that a shootout had not been included in the contract.”