Why Anthony Taylor is allowed to referee Man City vs Arsenal despite being from Manchester

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Anthony Taylor will be the man in the middle for Manchester City vs Arsenal at the weekend

Anthony Taylor will be the man in the middle for the crucial clash(Image: Carl Recine/Getty Images)

Reason why Anthony Taylor can referee Manchester City vs Arsenal

1. PGMOL rules: The primary rule for Professional Game Match Officials Limited is that a referee cannot officiate a match involving a team they support, or that team's rivals. Before each season, every referee must declare their allegiances and personal interests.
2. Anthony Taylor's allegiance: Anthony Taylor is a lifelong supporter of Altrincham FC, a non-league club currently playing in the National League. Because he does not support either Manchester City or Manchester United, he is considered 'neutral' under PGMOL guidelines.
3. Colleague's support: One of Taylor's former colleagues, Graham Scott, spoke about him earlier this week. He told The Athletic: "Eyebrows are sometimes raised when he is appointed to a match involving either of the Manchester giants, given he lives within a few miles of both grounds. But his support for his home-town club Altrincham is genuine, not convenient, and he has no allegiance to either City or United."
4. Allegiance vs location: While it’s true Taylor is from the Greater Manchester area, PGMOL does not strictly ban referees from officiating teams based on their home city alone, provided there is no conflict of interest. This would include supporting the team or having a familial connection.
5. The travel factor: In the past, there was a loose preference for referees not to live in the same city as the teams they officiate to avoid local pressure. However, with the rise of professional standards and elite refereeing pools, 'neutrality' is now defined by club affiliation rather than a postcode.
6. Taylor's track record: He has been the referee for games where City have lost - most recently in the Manchester derby in January 2026. These results are used by PGMOL as evidence that his birthplace does not affect his impartiality on the pitch.
7. Confirmed officiating list: Anthony Taylor will be joined at the Etihad Stadium this weekend by Gary Beswick and Ian Hussin. Monitoring proceedings from the Video Assistant Referee room are John Brooks, supported by Stuart Burt in the role of assistant VAR.
8. When is Manchester City vs Arsenal?: The title-race clash is scheduled to start at 4.30pm on Sunday, April 19. The game will be played at the Etihad Stadium, home of Pep Guardiola's City side.
9. How to watch the top-of-the-table clash: Live coverage will be broadcast on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Premier League. The official broadcast coverage for the match starts at 4pm, giving viewers 30 minutes of pre-match build-up.
10. Latest team news: City will be without vice-captain Ruben Dias for the Arsenal clash, with Guardiola relying on Nathan Ake, Abdukodir Khusanov and Marc Guehi in the heart of defence instead. The Gunners are missing Mikel Merino and potentially Noni Madueke, with Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka also doubts.
11. READ THE LATEST ARSENAL NEWS HERE: Arsenal get huge Man City injury boost that will force Pep Guardiola's hand