Serie A have appointed Marco Guida— a referee from the Naples area— as assistant VAR for Inter vs Lazio.
Why Is Marco Guida’s Role in Inter vs Lazio So Controversial?
Guida hails from Pompei, just outside Naples, and has previously stated he would not officiate Napoli matches due to potential accusations of bias and concern for his family’s safety.
That public stance, however, has done little to shield him from scrutiny from Inter fans now that he finds himself involved in a match that could majorly impact Napoli’s title chances.
Given that Inter trails Napoli by just one point with two games to go, any controversial decision in this game could dramatically alter the outcome of the Serie A title race.
What Role Does Assistant VAR Play in Serie A?
While Guida is not the lead VAR official, his duties as assistant VAR (AVAR) still include actively reviewing incidents, helping determine whether an on-field review (OFR) is necessary, and advising on critical decisions.
In a title race that’s so tightly contested, marginal calls such as penalty checks, offside judgments, or potential red cards can shape the end result.
For that reason, fans have voiced concern over perceived conflicts of interest, especially given Guida’s previous admissions regarding his ties to the region.
When Is Inter vs Lazio?
The Inter vs Lazio match takes place on Sunday, May 18, kicking off at 20:45 CET, the same as the rest of Serie A’s penultimate round of fixtures to ensure competitive fairness.
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Napoli (78 points) will play away at Parma at the same time.
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Inter Milan (77 points) host Lazio, who are themselves chasing a top-four finish.
With only one point separating the top two sides, a win for Inter and a Napoli slip-up would swing the title race heading into the final matchday.
For a full breakdown of all the possible scenarios—including the title fight, European places, and relegation—check out our full Serie A permutations guide.
Marco Guida Previously Asked Not to Officiate Napoli Matches
In a recent interview with Radio CRC, Guida openly stated that he and fellow Neapolitan referee Fabio Maresca had requested not to oversee Napoli fixtures.
Their reasoning was not just about impartiality, but personal safety—acknowledging that controversial decisions could endanger their families in Naples.
That admission now appears at odds with Serie A’s decision to place Guida in a pivotal match impacting Napoli’s title hopes, prompting renewed backlash online and across Italian media.
How Has Serie A Responded to the Marco Guida Criticism?
At the time of writing, Serie A has not issued a public response to the concerns. However, the refereeing appointments for Week 37 were confirmed by the Lega Serie A and remain unchanged:
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Inter vs Lazio – Referee: Daniele Chiffi, VAR: Marco Di Paolo, Assistant VAR; Marco Guida
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Parma vs Napoli – Referee: Daniele Doveri, VAR: Valerio Marini
What Happens If Napoli and Inter Finish Level on Points?
Should Napoli and Inter finish level on points after all 38 rounds, Serie A’s new title play-off rule would come into effect. Introduced in 2022, the regulation dictates:
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A one-off play-off match will determine the champion
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No extra time—if tied after 90 minutes, the match will go straight to penalties
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The club with the better goal difference over the season earns the right to host the match
Could Marco Guida Be Removed From VAR Duties Before the Match?
As of now, there is no indication that Guida will be reassigned, though the pressure may force Serie A’s hand in the coming days.
Serie A Week 37 Referees
- Cagliari vs Venezia (Luca Pairetto, VAR Francesco Meraviglia)
- Fiorentina vs Bologna (Luca Zufferli, VAR Matteo Gariglio)
- Genoa vs Atalanta (Davide Ghersini, VAR Federico Dionisi)
- Inter vs Lazio (Daniele Chiffi, VAR Marco Di Paolo)
- Juventus vs Udinese (Giovanni Ayroldi, VAR Ivano Pezzuto)
- Lecce vs Torino (Antonio Rapuano, VAR Daniele Paterna)
- Monza vs Empoli (Livio Marinelli, VAR Michael Fabbri)
- Parma vs Napoli (Daniele Doveri, VAR Valerio Marini)
- Roma vs Milan (Marco Piccinini, VAR Paulo Silvio Mazzoleni)
- Verona vs Como (Rosario Abisso, VAR Federico La Penna)
