A video that has gone viral on social media shows Marco Guida having a kick at AC Milan’s Alexis Saelemaekers after the penalty incident.
Emotions were obviously high as Milan probably thought they had thrown away a win against Roma when Paulo Dybala stepped up to take a penalty after Youssouf Fofana was penalised for a handball inside the box.
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Mike Maignan was the hero though as he kept out Dybala’s penalty. In the ensuing seconds after, Saelemaekers spins around and celebrates very exuberantly in the vicinity of the referee Guida, who in turn seems to take a step towards him and also raise his knee at the Belgian.
Former official Graziano Cesari spoke during last night’s episode of Pressing and he gave his thoughts on the incident: “Dyabla misses the penalty, Saelemaekers turns and celebrates in front of Guida. Do you know what the referee does? He approaches and then kicks the Belgian.
“This is behaviour that an international referee cannot have. I see deliberate action. Saelemaekers, after the kick, turns and accuses Guida. This is not behavior that a match referee should have.”
Ora mi spiegate perché Guida redarguisce Saelemaker che esulta?
Non si può nemmeno più esultare? pic.twitter.com/Z3ATqpdJm3— Piani Mino (@PianiMino) November 2, 2025
Questa la reazione dell’arbitro Guida all’esultanza di Saelemaekers.
Gesto volontario, come sottolineato anche da Cesari, sicuramente molto grave.#MilanRoma pic.twitter.com/n2xSy6XGBG
— Milan Vibes (@MilanVibesHQ) November 3, 2025
Bit of a stretch
The intention is clear there.
Could it be because Saelemaekers was taunting the ref? You’re not allowed to taunt the opposition, so could it be the same for the ref just like you’re not allowed to remonstrate with a ref? Saelemaekers clearly TURNS right to him and celebrates in his face, as if implying the ref had tried to turn the result with the pen call and now Roma missed it so ha. He did not have to turn, he could have continued facing the stands, or run up to hug Mike. It was a very deliberate move by Salad. Perhaps you would have preferred the ref give him a yellow then?
If you feel he was taunting you as the ref, would you rather lash out or just caution him with a card.
Lashing out only shows you’re pained for the missed penalty,
A card shows your professionalism and control of the match and your emotions…
Irrelevant. Celebrating isn’t taunting.
Oh really? Lol. Any celebration in the fact of an opposition player or fans is a taunt, or to use the technical term “unsportmanlike conduct”. Players have gotten cards for it. In other sports fouls are called, like a technical foul in basket ball, or a flag and a 15 yard penalty in American Football. Just because you don’t see this as unsportsmanlike conduct doesn’t mean it isn’t. It’s just subjective and you can definitely think it isn’t. But I think it is. Like I said, Saelemaekers could have simply KEPT FACING THE STAND, or run up to Maignan, or whatever. He whipped around and found the ref. In fact, if you view the video, you will see how he adjusts slightly to his left after the inital spin around when he sees the ref is slightly more in that direction after the initial turn. Clear as day. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Vero, you’re wasting your time trying to educate that kid.
“Celebrating isn’t taunting.”. Obviously the kid hasn’t watched sports enough to know better. I’m afraid you’d have better luck teaching monkeys to fly than getting that kid understand anything.
What ever happens on the pitch, referees aren’t allowed to kick players. Nor the players the ref. No ifs or buts.
100% agreed, but where is the kick? Ref’s right foot touches Saelemaekers left foot? If there is any contact, which this shot can’t prove, it’s almost certainly inadvertent. I think this whole thing is just polemics for polemics’ sake.
“100% agreed, but where is the kick?”
Yeah. It is REALLY subtle. Didn’t even notice it the first 2 times. But it’s there if you really look for it. Which means people are trying to create something that really isn’t there. Just move along and focus on the next match. 🙂
He was simply celebrating by himself.
Marco guida came with As Roma to sansiro
Salad will get us into some problems this season w his gamesmanship, but sometimes it works out. I think yesterday he got under Roma’s skin in a good way.
If you feel he was taunting you as the ref, would you rather lash out or just caution him with a card.
Lashing out only shows you’re pained for the missed penalty,
A card shows your professionalism and control of the match and your emotions…
He should be banned from Serie A, minimum until next season. It was comical but he did it…
Alexis makes me laugh 🤣🤣
If I was him I would fall and make the same referee go check the foul in VAR and judge himself
It seems Guida is fan of Roma
He seemed to forget that he played with Roma, and earned a comeback to Milan with the performance there. Lol, gotta love Alexis.
I thought it was hilarious that he celebrated the save in the ref’s face… LOL!!!
Inventing a story when there isn’t one.
The Italian referees as a group seem very confrontational. They’re a bit drunk on power and seem to relish the position of authority they’re in and lord it over the players at times.
This is a bit of a nothing burger though. He does step towards AS and says something to him but clearly doesn’t kick or knee him.
As soon as the pen is saved he looks at the ref, it could be misconstrued as taunting the ref, ref barely kicks out at him though but does square up to him, this ref is on a bit of a power trip
There is nothing there. Cupcakes wanna make a big deal about everything.
Plus, Saelemaekers celebration was absolutely directed at the ref. No harm no foul.
Exactly. Saelemaekers could have gotten a yellow for unsportsmanlike conduct, but the ref simply stepped up to him as if saying “watch it” AND there was also no kick. A little moment of passion from Salad and nothing else to it.
There’s nothing there. C’mon!
I think Milan must enter every game knowing their playing against 11 players plus a Referee. That way we won’t be caught with any surprises.
It looks like the ref got close to warn Salad that there will be a card if he keeps trying to incite Roma with his celebrations.
A kick? Where?
🤦♂️Media is getting worse by the day. I understand it’s a relay site but sheesh that’s terrible. The reads are getting worse by the day