Calls for "outstanding" Artur Soares Dias to referee the Euros final after his Austria-Türkiye officiating performance
Portugal’s Artur Soares Dias put on a refereeing display that did not go unnoticed around the globe, earning praise for his no-nonsense officiating performance and his role in creating a compelling battle between Austria and Turkiye.
Football fans were quick to take to social media to heap praise on the 44-year old, particularly impressed by his willingness to allow the game to flow and how he did not fall for players attempting to buy freekicks.
Some even suggested that Soares Dias, who refereed the Europa Conference League final between Olympiakos and Fiorentina last month, has been the referee of the tournament, and should be given the opportunity to officiate the Euro 2024 final in two weeks’ time, such was the level of performance from the man with the whistle.
This referee should be in charge of every game that's left at #EURO2024
— Jake Russell 🏇 (@JakeRuss1000) July 2, 2024
Just letting the game flow perfectly, not stopping it for soft foals/tackles - and look how good the game is to watch!
This referee needs to the one officiating the final. Taking no bullshit the boy
— DM (@MustardSR3) July 2, 2024
Best referee of the tournament for this #AUTTUR game. Letting it flow, makes the game so much easier to watch. #EURo2024
— Jonnie J (@joneboy888) July 2, 2024
Referee of the tournament. #AUTTUR
— Keith Andrew (@tweeting_keith) July 2, 2024
Artur Soares Dias está a ser dos melhores árbitros neste Euro.
— Ricardo Guarda (@ricardoguarda_) July 2, 2024
Best referee performance I've watched in a long time 👏
— TOFFEE BLUECAST (@TOFFEEBLUECAST) July 2, 2024
In game where players looked slow it down Artur Soares Dias kept it flowing and made it a cracker.
Premier League referees should take note. https://t.co/8dAtpQp73Y
His management of the game drew comparisons to arguably the greatest referee of them all - Colina - and was praised for his “all-round understanding of the game”. Others jokingly suggested that he should be considered for the Man of the Match award - or even man of the tournament…
Soares Dias, the referee officiating the Austria v Turkey game is the best ref that I’ve seen since PierLuigi Collina!
— Craig Hatton (@CraigHatton26) July 2, 2024
Shitty English referees the note! Watch him, study him, check his knowledge of the game and his all-round understanding of the game of football!#thefa
Think the MoM award should go to the referee. #AUTTUR
— Paul R (@MrPaulRadford) July 2, 2024
This referee is man of the tournament. If in doubt, play on. Superb. #AUTTUR
— poc (@peteoconn) July 2, 2024
“Magnificent”, “outstanding”, “sensational”. There was no shortage of love for Artur Soares Dias as Turkiye overcame Austria in a 2-1 thriller to reach the quarter final of the European Championship.
This Portuguese referee is sensational
— RomanT (@tujeshynroman) July 2, 2024
This referee is outstanding can we clone this guy #turkeyaustria #EURO2024
— G (@Thetrut54051138) July 2, 2024
This referee is magnificent.
— Brian Steele 🍀 (@TheHullster) July 2, 2024
This referee is ace btw. He's letting the game go and it's such a better spectacle for it.
— Sean (@City_Sean) July 2, 2024
What a save wow
— Chris Merchant (@merchantcp) July 2, 2024
I also hope Artur Soares Dias gets more games to referee he has helped make Austria Turkey the game of the tournament so far, he loves a tackle and hates a dive
I love this referee. No tolerance for diving.
— Man of Steel (@Terminal_Ad) July 2, 2024
Artur Soares Dias, take a bow. great game made possible by your refusal to be taken in by any player going to ground, and the players soon realised it. Best refereeing performance for a long time. 👏👏👏👏👏👏👏 pic.twitter.com/Z5CvaDf9sR
— Graham Park (@GrahamPark15) July 2, 2024
Some supporters even expressed frustration that refereeing in their domestic league isn’t at the level which Artur Soares Dias showed on the night.
Referees in the Premier League could learn a lot from this guy in the Turkey-Austria game. It's a pleasure to watch such a free flowing football match #EURO2024
— Luke Marsden (@LukeAMarsden) July 2, 2024
Can we get this referee in the premier league? Best one there’s been yet
— Brad Talbot (@BradTee93) July 2, 2024
It’s fair to say that Artur Soares Dias put out one of the best refereeing displays of his career, and earned many admirers for how he approached the game.
Austria vs Turkey was magnificent, round of applause for both teams.
— Stephen Hart (@WatchfulEye64) July 2, 2024
That being said, the referee Portuguese, Artur Soares Dias was magnificent. He refused to be conned, managed the players well and thus contributed to the flow and excitement.
Artur Soares Dias take a bow 👏👏 that’s how you Referee a game of football.
— Behind The Whistles (@behindtwpod) July 2, 2024
When you get a referee like this one Austria V Turkey who letting players play and two teams going hell for leather .
— David R (@d8532211) July 2, 2024
Is why I love this game .
Too much emphasis on tactics and shape nowadays stifles games
Been brilliant this match 👊
Great referee on the game now, no nonsense, players going down easily, play on and get up.
— Andy Sales (@sales_andy) July 2, 2024
#AUTTUR the centre referee (Artur Soares Dias) is doing an amazing job. This is football, the beautiful sport we love.
— Onasanya Juwon (@jonasanya) July 2, 2024
