Marotta questions Guida appointment

Juventus director Giuseppe Marotta has queried why referee Marco Guida, from Naples, was assigned to officiate their clash against Genoa.

Guida controversially turned down several penalty appeals from Antonio Conte’s men which meant the Italian champions dropped two points in the 1-1 Serie A draw on Saturday.

The result could allow contenders Napoli to close within three points at the top with a win on Sunday, and Marotta said Guida should never have been assigned to take charge of the clash.

“The referee Guida is from Naples, so maybe that’s why he felt under certain pressure,” he told reporters.

“I am sure he is a good man, but if these referees are not assigned to the matches of clubs originating from their region, there has to be an underlying reason.

“I am just discussing this error. He’s young, and being assigned to our game must have been difficult for him. Imagine the fallout if a Turin referee had taken charge of a Napoli match.”