In a surprising development, two prominent Serie A referees, Marco Guida and Fabio Maresca, have made the decision to abstain from officiating Napoli matches. This choice comes despite the recent removal of territorial restrictions by the Italian Referee Association (AIA), which now allows referees to oversee games involving teams from their home regions.

Guida, speaking to Radio CRC, explained their decision: “While Fabio Maresca and I are technically allowed to referee Napoli matches, we’ve chosen not to. The football culture in Naples is uniquely intense compared to other cities like Milan. We’ve made this decision based on what we believe is most appropriate, even in the absence of territorial boundaries.”

The 43-year-old Guida, who has officiated 208 Serie A games and 11 Champions League matches, cited personal safety concerns as a key factor. “I’m a resident of Naples province with three children and a wife who runs a business. It’s a personal choice driven by the desire to carry out daily activities, like taking my children to school, without worry,” he stated.

Guida further elaborated on the challenges faced by referees in Naples: “Football evokes strong emotions here. After making mistakes in the past, I found it unsafe to walk in the streets or visit the grocery store. The prospect of making an error, such as awarding a controversial penalty, and then being unable to leave home for days due to safety concerns, is not a comfortable situation.”

Despite this decision, Guida emphasized that there was no hidden agenda, stating that the AIA’s designator, Gianluca Rocchi, continues to assign the best referees to the most important matches.

The referee also highlighted broader cultural issues affecting officials at all levels of the game. “The media often portrays referees as adversaries to be insulted, regardless of circumstances. It’s disheartening to witness youth games where parents verbally abuse referees. As a father, I find this deeply troubling. We’re dealing with young individuals who officiate out of passion and respect for the rules, aspiring to reach Serie A someday. Yet, they face constant abuse throughout matches.”

This situation sheds light on the unique challenges faced by football officials, particularly in regions where the sport is deeply ingrained in local culture and daily life.