Premier League ref Anthony Taylor returns to England from the Euros – after thousands of fans signed a petition demanding a replay of Germany vs Spain – as he looks set to be overlooked for the final

Anthony Taylor has returned to England, while departing Italian Daniele Orsato will take charge of the 2024 European Championship final.

The Premier League referee has been criticised by angry Germany fans after he denied appeals for a penalty in the quarter-final against Spain, with 32,000 people signing a petition calling for him to be reprimanded and the match replayed.

However, Mail Sport understands his departure from the country is due to the slim chances of him being selected for the tournament in Berlin, largely due to England progressing to the semi-finals.

Although no final decision has been made, Orsato, who led the Three Lions’ victory over Switzerland, is believed to be in pole position.

The 48-year-old referee has been a FIFA referee since 2010 and officiated at the 2020 Champions League final. He will retire after the competition.

Poland’s Szymon Marciniak, who refereed the 2022 World Cup final, will also be present.

Taylor has become the target of widespread online abuse after refusing to shake hands with Chelsea’s Marc Cucurella in a match that Spain won 2-1 after extra time, prompting the tournament host to resign.

However, reports in Germany that he ‘fled the scene’ after the match appear to be untrue.

Sources have revealed that while Germany’s assistant coach did enter the referee’s room to ask for an explanation – and subsequently received one – there was no heated argument or series of insults from Sandro Wagner.

Instead, a quiet conversation took place, after which Taylor left after taking a shower.

UEFA later backed Taylor’s decision, as Cucurella’s hand was not in an unnatural position.