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Suspicions of conspiracy in Serie A as Inter fans are unhappy with the appointment of the referee from Torre Annunziata as VAR.

With 180 minutes left in the 24/25 Serie A season, it’s not just the football being played that is making headlines. Despite only one point separating Napoli and Inter – which should be enough to raise the pressure in this season’s finale – someone has deemed it necessary to criticize the choice of the VAR referee.

REFEREE MARCO GUIDA (PHOTO BY SALVATORE FORNELLI)

Serie A: the appointment was fateful

A witch hunt started immediately on social media. The reason? Referee Guida is from the Torre Annunziata region and lives in the province of Naples. However, it’s not just the geographical aspect that caused this uproar. It’s the words of the Campania referee.

Some time ago, in an interview with Radio CRC – the official radio station of Napoli – Guida admitted to having specifically asked the designator Rocchi not to assign him to the Napoli team. This decision was also shared with Maresca, another referee from the Napoli region. The reason? To avoid trouble and protect the family.

Referee Guida’s words

“In Naples, football is experienced differently than in other cities like Milan, even though we had the proposal,” Guida said on the radio. “There are no territorial boundaries, we just did what we thought was most appropriate.” And further: “I live in the city of Naples and reside in the province. I have three children and my wife has a business. It’s a personal choice. In the morning, I have to pick up my kids and I want to be at ease.”

Finally: “When I made mistakes, I wasn’t so sure about walking down the street or going grocery shopping. Thinking about making an error in awarding a penalty kick and not being able to leave the house for two days to carry out my sports activities doesn’t make me feel calm.”

Many have wondered after these statements whether the referee from Torre Annunziata will be able to be calm in managing his position at VAR with Inter competing for the Scudetto. Among them, journalist Tancredi Palmeri, who shared his thoughts on X.

“How can referee Guida be the VAR assistant in Inter-Lazio if he has stated that he doesn’t have the peace of mind to referee Napoli to protect his family? This is a completely illogical appointment. I’m not against Rocchi per se, but this choice is inexplicable,” the journalist vented on social media.

However, for Inter-Lazio, referee Chiffi from Padova has been appointed, with Di Paolo on VAR duty. Therefore, Guida will only be the assistant to the latter.

Inter and Napoli: a battle on social media

In addition to Palmeri’s post, there are numerous messages on social media alleging conspiracies to favor the Lombard team. A sort of reverse Marotta League, complete with accusations and invectives. “What would you say if roles were reversed,” taunted an Inter supporter. And further: “The role of the VAR is not so marginal. If you listen to the audio of several VAR interventions, you will realize how actively involved they are in decisions.”

Napoli fans, of course, are not staying silent and counter: “So the problem is Guida as VAR in Inter-Lazio. Doveri officiates Parma-Napoli and travels with Inter’s backpack, Simonelli the president of the Lega goes to the stadium with Inter’s scarf, Infantino FIFA president is an Inter ultra, everything’s fine, right?”.

A tense end to the season, which is already tense due to the points difference in the standings, and perhaps all this controversy could have been avoided. The fact remains that, as of today, the Scudetto is also being “fought” in this way.

Who will be proven right in the end?