English Premiership Referee Anthony Taylor Is Demoted to the Championship

Anthony Taylor has been demoted to the Championship after awarding Newcastle with a controversial penalty against Wolves on Saturday.

The Premier League referee will oversee the second-tier clash between Preston and Coventry a week after the divisive call, in his first Championship tie since 2019. Taylor came under fire from a range of different voices after handing the visitors the penalty at Molineux, which allowed the Magpies to go ahead in the first-half.

The whistler pointed to the spot after Hwang Hee-chan brought down Fabian Schar whilst attempting to clear the ball, and had his decision rubber-stamped by VAR.

The official on duty at Stockley Park Jarred Gillett took his time but ultimately opted not to send Taylor to his monitor to look at the incident a second time.

Wolves were unable to snatch the 2-2 victory at home, but came from behind twice to ensure the spoils were shared on a trying afternoon for manager Gary O'Neil.

O'Neil - who has previously been outspoken on refereeing issues after Wolves were on the receiving end oftwo more controversial decisionsagainst Manchester United and Luton Town this season - called Taylor's call 'scandalous'.

'(Newcastle's) second goal was never ever a penalty, ever.' He told Sky Sports.

'It was a terrible decision on-field and from VAR (but) we managed to bounce back.'

Hwang - who went on to score the equaliser - said that he was 'saddened' by the decision.

‘I’d tried to clear the ball and saw someone block me. I stopped and he touched me – I don’t think it was a penalty,’ he said.

‘I felt so sad and really wanted to do something for my team. Everybody said 'You can do it.” They gave me trust and I scored.’