During the EURO 2024 match between Portugal and Czechia, Italian referee Marco Guida made a commendable decision by recognizing Rafael Leao’s dive and issuing him a yellow card for simulation. This incident serves as a reminder to players that referees are always watching and will not hesitate to penalize any attempts at deception on the field.
Leo, who was making his debut in the tournament, went down just outside the penalty area under pressure from Tomas Soucek. Guida, who had previously officiated Leao in Serie A while he was at Milan, was perfectly positioned to spot the dive. Instead of awarding a free kick to Portugal, Guida saw through Leao’s actions and showed him the yellow card for simulation.
Had Leo stayed on his feet, he would have been in a good position to go for goal. However, he did not protest the decision and simply shrugged it off with a smile. The referee’s quick thinking and familiarity with Leao’s playing style allowed him to make the right call in this situation.
Guida’s actions were applauded by pundits and fans alike for his sharp judgement and fair officiating. This incident highlights the importance of honesty on the field and reminds players that any attempts at deception will be punished severely by referees.