Champions League

Who is Marco Guida, the referee for Newcastle vs Barcelona in the Champions League?

Guida, 44, is the man in the middle for the Champions League round of 16 first leg at St James’ Park as Newcastle host Barça.

Kai Pfaffenbach

Roddy Cons

Digital sports journalist

Scottish sports journalist and content creator. After running his own soccer-related projects, in 2022 he joined Diario AS, where he mainly reports on the biggest news from around Europe’s leading soccer clubs, Liga MX and MLS, and covers live games in a not-too-serious tone. Likes to mix things up by dipping into the world of American sports.

Update: Mar 10th, 2026 16:26 EDT

Italian referee Marco Guida takes charge of the first leg of the Newcastle vs Barcelona tie in the 2025-26 Champions League in the round of 16 at St James’ Park on Tuesday.

Newcastle vs Barcelona: live text coverage

Inexperienced in UCL knockout stages

Guida will be overseeing only the third non-group-stage Champions League match of his officiating career, having made his debut in the knockout stages of Europe’s top men’s club tournament in 2023-24

The 44-year-old first refereed in the Champions League in October 2019, but was not appointed to a knockout-stage clash until he ran the rule over Paris Saint-Germain’s 2-0 last-16 first-leg win over Real Sociedad in February 2024.

🚨JUST IN🚨: Italian Marco Guida has been appointed to referee the first leg of the Champions League round of 16 match between Newcastle United and Barcelona. pic.twitter.com/edCJ5OUDsi
— Mr Wills (@MrWills96) March 9, 2026

Two months later, Guida took charge of the first leg of the quarterfinal between Atlético Madrid and Borussia Dortmund, his last knockout game in the Champions League until today.

In his 17 appearances in the competition so far, Guida is yet to send a single player off. He has averaged just under three yellow cards per game.

The Pompei native is yet to cross paths with either Newcastle, although he was in the middle for Barcelona’s shock 3-2 defeat to Royal Antwerp in the group stage in November 2023.

Guida has been an elite-level referee in Italy since 2010, amassing 221 appearances in Serie A, the country’s top men’s division.

🕵️‍♂️ Tonight’s Italian referee Marco Guida for @NUFC - @FCBarcelona is not one to be messed with - kicking a @acmilan player in a recent Serie A game 👀 - & believes players shouldn’t protest every decision so a kid gloves approach best at @StJamesParkNE1 tonight. #NUFC #BARNEW 🏁 https://t.co/2S0USrwt78
— Stuart Latimer🇸🇦أسطورة جوردي (@UltraStarTime) March 10, 2026

Marco Guida controversy

Guida was at the center of controversy earlier this season when he appeared to kick out at Milan’s Alexis Saelemaekers during a game against Roma. Despite video footage, he escaped punishment.

Who are Guida’s assistant referees?

Guida heads up an all-Italian officiating team in Madrid. His assistant referees are Giorgio Peretti and Giuseppe Perrotti, and the fourth official is Matteo Marcenaro.

Who is the VAR?

The video assistant referee (VAR) in Newcastle is Daniele Chiffi.