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Aryan Suraj Chadha

Huge controversy in Serie A! Referee Marco Guida to be in VAR room for Inter vs Lazio despite links to title rivals Napoli

Serie A
Inter
Lazio
SSC Napoli

Serie A has found itself at the centre of controversy after Marco Guida was named assistant VAR for Inter's crucial title-race clash against Lazio.

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  • Guida to be the assistant VAR for Inter vs Lazio

  • Italian referee had earlier requested not to be involved

  • Napoli top the table with Inter close behind

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  • WHAT HAPPENED?

    Guida, who is from Pompei - just outside Naples - had publicly stated that he wouldn’t officiate Napoli matches to avoid any claims of bias or concerns for his family’s safety. Yet now, with the Serie A title race going down to the wire and Napoli just one point ahead of Inter, the Italian referee finds himself in a position of influence in a game that could shape the Scudetto race.

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  • Marco Guida arbitro refereeGetty Images

    THE BIGGER PICTURE

    To keep the fairness of the title race, almost all of Serie A's Week 37 games are played at the same time. However, sending a famous Neapolitan referee to a match that could affect Napoli's title aspirations has sparked a social media frenzy, given the tight situation in the table. Although the 43-year-old will serve only as an assistant VAR, his role in reviewing footage and advising on potential on-field reviews places him at the heart of critical match decisions.

  • SERIE A WEEK 37 REFEREES

    • Genoa-Atalanta (Ghersini, VAR Dionisi)
    • Cagliari-Venezia (Pairetto, VAR Meraviglia)
    • Fiorentina-Bologna (Zufferli, VAR Gariglio)
    • Verona-Como (Abisso, VAR La Penna)
    • Inter-Lazio (Chiffi, VAR Di Paolo)
    • Juventus-Udinese (Ayroldi, VAR Pezzuto)
    • Lecce-Torino (Rapuano, VAR Paterna)
    • Monza-Empoli (Marinelli, VAR Fabbri)
    • Parma-Napoli (Doveri, VAR Marini)
    • Roma-Milan (Piccinini, VAR Mazzoleni)

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  • DID YOU KNOW?

    Should Napoli and Inter Milan finish level on points at the end of the Serie A season, the title will not be decided by head-to-head record or goal difference, but by a play-off match, as per league rules introduced in 2022.

    In such a scenario, a single tie will determine the champion, with the club with the better goal difference during the regular season earning the right to host the decider.

    The match will consist of 90 minutes of regular time, and if the score remains level, it will go directly to a penalty shootout, with no extra time played.

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    WHAT NEXT FOR INTER AND NAPOLI

    With just two rounds remaining in the Serie A season, Napoli hold a narrow one-point lead over Inter Milan in the title race. Napoli, sitting on 78 points, will travel to face relegation-threatened Parma on Sunday, May 18, before hosting Cagliari on May 25. Inter, currently on 77 points, will host fifth-placed Lazio on May 18, followed by an away match against Como on May 25.