Change of referee for Napoli vs. Venezia after injury | OneFootball

Napoli and Venezia were forced to deal with a sudden change of referee for today’s Serie A match, as Matteo Marchetti pulled out with an injury in the warm-up.

It kicks off at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona at 14.00 GMT.

You can follow all the build-up and action as it happens from today’s four Serie A games on the Liveblog.

Matteo Marchetti suffered an injury during the warm-up and was seen speaking to his colleagues to organise the change of roles.

As per the protocol in these situations, the referee exchanges places with the fourth official, a position that requires considerably less running around.

Francesco Cosso is therefore taking over as referee for this Serie A Week 18 fixture at the Stadio Maradona.

Cosso drafted in as emergency referee

EMPOLI, ITALY – MARCH 11: Francesco Cosso referee gestures during the Serie A match between Empoli FC and Udinese Calcio at Stadio Carlo Castellani on March 11, 2023 in Empoli, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)

The 36-year-old from Reggio Calabria only has eight previous Serie A games under his belt, making his debut in the 0-0 draw between Bologna and Empoli on February 6, 2022.

He already officiated Napoli in a 3-2 win over Bologna in October 2022 and their 2-0 defeat to Monza in May 2023.