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Suspicions of a conspiracy in Serie A with Inter fans not happy with the appointment of the referee from Torre Annunziata as AVAR.

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

REFEREE MARCO GUIDA ( PHOTO SALVATORE FORNELLI )

Serie A: the appointment was the trigger

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

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

Referee Guida’s words

“In Naples, football is experienced differently compared to other cities like Milan, even though we had the opportunity.” These were Guida’s words on the radio. “There are no territorial lines, we only did what we believed 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 take my children to school, and I want to feel calm.”

Lastly: “When I made mistakes, I wasn’t so sure about walking on the street or going grocery shopping. Thinking about making a mistake in awarding a penalty and not being able to leave the house for two days to do my sports activities doesn’t make me feel peaceful.”

Many have wondered if the Torre Annunziata referee will be able to handle his position at the VAR calmly with Inter fighting for the Scudetto. Among them is journalist Tancredi Palmeri, who shared his thoughts on X.

“How can referee Guida be the VAR assistant in Inter-Lazio if he has declared that he doesn’t have the serenity to referee Napoli to protect his family? This is a totally illogical appointment. I’m not against Rocchi per se, but this choice is inexplicable.” This was the journalist’s social media outburst.

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

Inter and Napoli: a social media battle

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

Napoli fans, of course, are not staying silent and counter: “So the problem is Guida as AVAR in Inter-Lazio. Doveri officiating Parma-Napoli and traveling with Inter’s backpack, Simonelli president of Lega going to the stadium with Inter’s scarf, Infantino FIFA president who is an Inter fan, everything okay?”

A tense end to the season, probably already stressed due to the point 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?