Murillo reacts to Anthony Taylor ‘fraud’ post ahead of Nottingham Forest v Chelsea
Murillo has reacted to a social post slamming referee Anthony Taylor ahead of his involvement in Nottingham Forest’s vital clash with Chelsea.
The 46-year-old has been appointed to referee the season-defining finale between the two sides at the City Ground on Sunday, 25 May, with Champions League qualification on the line.
Of course, the news has raised eyebrows in Nottingham, with fans still unable to forgive his actions following their 2-0 defeat to Everton in April 2024, with three separate penalties waved away.
Ashley Young was the guilty party on that occasion, avoiding a sending-off as well as the spot-kicks, and fury from that game has transitioned to the final day of the 2024/25 campaign.
The game could also mean a lot for Nuno Espirito Santo’s future as Forest boss, with many expecting him to move on if his team drop out of the top-five spots, and that would be a cruel end to the season.
Nottingham Forest fans furious with Anthony Taylor appointment
NFFCHub wrote on Instagram (21 May): “The confirmed referee for Sunday’s clash against Chelsea is Anthony Taylor. The biggest game on the final day, and they’ve put this incompetent fraud in charge of it.
“Thanks to him, that 2-0 loss away to Everton last season was one of the worst refereeing displays I’ve ever seen. He’s not liked by any fanbase, so I’m not going to claim it’s ‘rigged’ against us.
“To have an absolute idiot in charge of the biggest game of the final day is a joke,” with Murillo seemingly agreeing with the online rant after liking the post.
Nuno Espirito Santo future uncertain ahead of final day
Football Insider verdict
Evangelos Marinakis has already been tipped to eye Fulham’s Marco Silva as a replacement for Espirito Santo, with rumours beginning to swirl after the pair’s clash on the pitch after drawing with Leicester City.
The bust-up was understood to be over Taiwo Awoniyi’s injury saga with Forest’s medical staff, but it was an embarrassing moment for the manager, nonetheless, sparking rumours about a potential exit.
| Manager | Games | Won | Drawn | Lost | Win % |
| Nuno Espirito Santo | 69 | 31 | 14 | 24 | 44.9 |
Under the Portuguese figure’s leadership, however, the Reds have experienced an incredible campaign in the Premier League and nearly reached the FA Cup final, only to lose to Man City in the semi-final.
While Europa Conference League football would still be an achievement, it could have dire consequences for the squad this summer, with Football Insider understanding that Morgan Gibbs-White could be sold due to PSR concerns.
With so much riding on the final day of the Premier League campaign, Taylor is likely to feel the heat at the City Ground, even before a ball has been kicked, and Murillo looks to be expecting some interesting decisions.
However, Chelsea fans may feel the Brazilian has no need to worry given the top referee’s own difficult history with the Blues.