ARTUR SOARES DIAS has been selected as a referee for Euro 2024.
The Portuguese has plenty of big game experience having been a VAR during the 2018 World Cup and in the middle for Euro 2020.
Who is Artur Soares Dias?
Soares Dias has been refereeing since 2010.
The 44-year-old and has been on the elite list since 2016, taking charge of multiple matches in the Champions League and other top competitions.
Dias has also taken charge of matches in the UAE and Saudi Arabia.
He was in charge of Arsenal’s 6-0 Champions League group stage win over Lens, awarding the Gunners a late penalty after a VAR check.
Dias also had a front row seat as Olympiacos beat Fiorentina to win the Europa Conference League last month.
However, he was at the centre of a bit of controversy in March when England faced Brazil in a friendly.
England coach Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink was involved in a furious half-time tunnel bust-up with the fourth official in that game, due to decisions made by Dias on the pitch.
In 2017, the Portuguese official and his family received death threats before he was due to officiate the Primeira Liga match between Paco de Ferreira and FC Porto.
He is also very experienced in games between English club sides and not shy to make the big decisions.
In April 2021 he took charge of Arsenal’s 2-1 defeat at Villarreal, sending off a player from both sides and awarding the Gunners a penalty.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
