Burnley boss Sean Dyche defends stag do referee Anthony Taylor, despite he and Kevin Friend enduring shocking afternoons

STAG-PARTY referee Anthony Taylor has been defended by Burnley boss Sean Dyche.

Taylor, who spent three days earlier in the week on his do in Marbella, wrongly awarded the Clarets a penalty at Swansea’s Liberty Stadium.

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He accused Swans’ Alfie Mawson of handling in the box when replays confirmed it was Burnley’s Sam Vokes.

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On the Spain trip with Taylor was fellow ref Kevin Friend — who had a stinker at yesterday’s clash between Manchester United and Bournemouth.

Friend was slated on social media after failing to send off both Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Tyrone Mings, despite being involved in two appalling acts of violent play.

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PA:Press Association

But Clarets boss Dyche said of Taylor: “He’s human, isn’t he?

“I think people should be able to live a life outside of football. Unless there’s a rule that I don’t know about.”

Taylor was booed by the home fans and Swansea chief Paul Clement, whose side won 3-2, revealed: “The ref said he had made an honest decision.

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"But I realised 30 seconds afterwards it was Vokes’ hand.

“I feel for refs. I referee training games and sometimes I just guess.

"It’s bizarre they are the only people in the stadium who don’t have the benefit of technology.”