Lineker Slams 'Ego-Driven' Ref Taylor After PSG-Bayern Clash

Premier League Gary Lineker calls out Premier League referee who 'has an ego' after Club World Cup controversy One Premier League referee was at the centre of controversy during PSG's Club World Cup quarter-final win over Bayern Munich, which left Gary Lineker unimpressed footballlondon Bookmark Share Comments Premier League By Harry Brent Senior Sports Writer Tom Sunderland Sports Writer 11:00, 7 JUL 2025 Bookmark Gary Lineker took aim at referee Anthony Taylor for his latest outing at the FIFA Club World Cup (Image: Laurence Griffiths, Getty Images) Sign up to the free Arsenal newsletter so you don't miss the latest Gunners news, straight to your inbox More Newsletters Subscribe Please enter a valid email Something went wrong, please try again later. More Newsletters We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you. More info Thank you for subscribing! We have more newsletters Show me See Our Privacy Notice See Our Privacy Notice × Group 28 Sign up to the free Arsenal newsletter so you don't miss the latest Gunners news, straight to your inbox Invalid email Something went wrong, please try again later. Sign Up No thanks, close We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you. More info × Group 28 Thank you for subscribing! We have more newsletters Show Me No thanks, close See our Privacy Notice Premier League icon Gary Lineker has lambasted referee Anthony Taylor for seeking too much of the limelight during Paris Saint-Germain 's Club World Cup win over Bayern Munich. Les Parisiens advanced to the last four of the tournament on Saturday despite finishing the match with nine men. Taylor, 46, was in charge at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium and attracted criticism after sending off two players in contentious fashion. The match was also marred by the grave injury suffered by Jamal Musiala following a clash with PSG goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma. Taylor first gave Willian Pacho his marching orders in the 82nd minute for a mistimed tackle on Leon Goretzka. This resulted in a nasty gash on the shin for the Bayern midfielder after being clouted by the Colombian's boot. Lucas Hernandez then joined him on the sidelines in injury time when he also received his red card. His tussle with Raphael Guerreiro seemed innocuous at first, though replays showed his elbow did indeed flick up into the chin of Guerreiro, who made the most of any contact. That challenge in particular led to widespread debate concerning Taylor's choice to send the Frenchman off. This decision puzzled many, including Lineker and his colleagues on The Rest Is Football podcast (via The Mirror ). "I think the first sending off, Pacho, was the right decision," said Lineker in his assessment. "The second one, I thought he was just putting his arm up to fend him off. I mean, really, a red card for that?" Micah Richards emphasised what he felt to be the wrong call as he added: "It's not good enough. It's not good enough. You've got to go to the screen. Anyone who has played football, or even if you haven't played football, [knows that] when you put your arms up it's to protect yourself, to get your body in [the way]. William Pacho was the first to be sent off for a high boot on Leon Goretzka (Image: Getty Images) "That's what you're taught as a youngster coming through. To give a red card for that... it didn't matter in the end [because PSG won], but still." But Lineker went one step further in his criticism of the official as he added: "There's something about Anthony. I've never met him, I don't know him. I'm sure he's fine off the pitch. But he's just got that... it looks like his ego. He's like an old-fashioned referee. It's almost like he wants it to be about him." Despite being down to nine men towards the end, PSG clinched their spot in the Club World Cup semis, which could in turn benefit Thomas Frank and Tottenham . Desire Doue opened the scoring in the 78th minute with a sharp cut inside and a low drive beyond Manuel Neuer. Ousmane Dembele sealed the deal in added time despite the two-man differential. However, it was only thanks to some fabulous work down the right flank courtesy of Achraf Hakimi that the chance presented itself. Luis Hernandez was then dismissed for a wayward elbow (Image: Getty Images) PSG are set to take on Real Madrid, who narrowly defeated Borussia Dortmund 3-2 over the weekend. And the winner of that encounter will bag a place in Sunday's final against either Chelsea or Fluminense . The appointment of the final's referee is still pending, but after Taylor's recent display, PSG supporters might be hoping he's not on the list. And Chelsea fans could share the same sentiment given his contentious history with their club . He's also been on the receiving end of criticism from others fanbases in the past. Following the 2023 Europa League final, then-Roma boss Jose Mourinho infamously confronted Taylor in the car park and the next day, Roma supporters were spotted hurling verbal abuse at the referee as he navigated his way through Budapest Airport. This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more Club World Cup on DAZN Watch the Club World Cup free on DAZN The FIFA Club World Cup will see 32 of the world's best club teams including Man City, Chelsea, Real Madrid, PSG and Bayern Munich play across 63 games from June 14-July 13. Fans can watch every match live and for free by signing up to DAZN. £0 DAZN Get DAZN here Story Saved You can find this story in My Bookmarks. Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right. Follow Football London Facebook X (Twitter) Comment More On Club World Cup Premier League Gary Lineker PSG Bayern Munich Morning roundup Micah Richards

Gary Lineker took aim at referee Anthony Taylor for his latest outing at the FIFA Club World Cup (Image: Laurence Griffiths, Getty Images)

Premier League icon Gary Lineker has lambasted referee Anthony Taylor for seeking too much of the limelight during Paris Saint-Germain 's Club World Cup win over Bayern Munich.

Les Parisiens advanced to the last four of the tournament on Saturday despite finishing the match with nine men. Taylor, 46, was in charge at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium and attracted criticism after sending off two players in contentious fashion.

The match was also marred by the grave injury suffered by Jamal Musiala following a clash with PSG goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma. Taylor first gave Willian Pacho his marching orders in the 82nd minute for a mistimed tackle on Leon Goretzka. This resulted in a nasty gash on the shin for the Bayern midfielder after being clouted by the Colombian's boot.

Lucas Hernandez then joined him on the sidelines in injury time when he also received his red card. His tussle with Raphael Guerreiro seemed innocuous at first, though replays showed his elbow did indeed flick up into the chin of Guerreiro, who made the most of any contact.

That challenge in particular led to widespread debate concerning Taylor's choice to send the Frenchman off. This decision puzzled many, including Lineker and his colleagues on The Rest Is Football podcast (via The Mirror ).

"I think the first sending off, Pacho, was the right decision," said Lineker in his assessment. "The second one, I thought he was just putting his arm up to fend him off. I mean, really, a red card for that?"

Micah Richards emphasised what he felt to be the wrong call as he added: "It's not good enough. It's not good enough. You've got to go to the screen. Anyone who has played football, or even if you haven't played football, [knows that] when you put your arms up it's to protect yourself, to get your body in [the way].

William Pacho was the first to be sent off for a high boot on Leon Goretzka (Image: Getty Images)

"That's what you're taught as a youngster coming through. To give a red card for that... it didn't matter in the end [because PSG won], but still."

But Lineker went one step further in his criticism of the official as he added: "There's something about Anthony. I've never met him, I don't know him. I'm sure he's fine off the pitch. But he's just got that... it looks like his ego. He's like an old-fashioned referee. It's almost like he wants it to be about him."

Despite being down to nine men towards the end, PSG clinched their spot in the Club World Cup semis, which could in turn benefit Thomas Frank and Tottenham . Desire Doue opened the scoring in the 78th minute with a sharp cut inside and a low drive beyond Manuel Neuer.

Ousmane Dembele sealed the deal in added time despite the two-man differential. However, it was only thanks to some fabulous work down the right flank courtesy of Achraf Hakimi that the chance presented itself.

Luis Hernandez was then dismissed for a wayward elbow (Image: Getty Images)

PSG are set to take on Real Madrid, who narrowly defeated Borussia Dortmund 3-2 over the weekend. And the winner of that encounter will bag a place in Sunday's final against either Chelsea or Fluminense .

The appointment of the final's referee is still pending, but after Taylor's recent display, PSG supporters might be hoping he's not on the list. And Chelsea fans could share the same sentiment given his contentious history with their club .

He's also been on the receiving end of criticism from others fanbases in the past. Following the 2023 Europa League final, then-Roma boss Jose Mourinho infamously confronted Taylor in the car park and the next day, Roma supporters were spotted hurling verbal abuse at the referee as he navigated his way through Budapest Airport.