Italian referee Marco Guida was lenient on Lamine Yamal after Barcelona star should have been booked and suspended
Kieran Trippier of Newcastle United complains to referee Marco Guida
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Champions League referee Marco Guida opted against booking Barcelona dangerman Lamine Yamal in last night's Champions League knockout game at St James' Park.
It means that Yamal is free to play in the second leg despite wrestling and fouling Lewis Hall in the first half but avoiding a yellow card and subsequent ban for the game at the Nou Camp.
It was a decision - along with a couple of others - that left Newcastle fans fuming. Alan Shearer called it out on commentary, although the Newcastle legend did also say he had no issues with the 94th minute penalty award that saw Yamal equalise.
Guida is no stranger to a yellow card and has already dished out 87 cautions this season. Last season he brandished 50 and the previous campaign in 2023/24 he booked 105 players no less! In his native Italy he is deemed a referee who makes mistakes and last night was no exception.
In Serie A, Guida made a decision last year to not officiate any matches in Naples, the area where he lives. This caused a media storm in Italy but Guida went public on his reasons for doing so with the move meaning he won't take charge of games against Napoli.
Guida said: "I live in Naples and live 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 children and I want to be at peace.
"Football is experienced with a lot of emotion here. When I made mistakes, it wasn't so safe to walk down the street or go shopping. Thinking about awarding a penalty incorrectly and not being able to leave the house for two days to carry out my sporting activities doesn't make me feel at peace. The AIA (referee association in Italy) has given us full freedom to referee any team at any time."
The referee for the second leg at the Nou Camp is yet to be confirmed by UEFA.
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