REFEREE Artur Soares Dias stunned fans when they saw what was on his arm in England’s drab 1-1 Euro 2024 draw with Denmark.
One viewer joked the “game is well and truly gone” after spotting a Euro 2020 tattoo below the Portuguese whistler’s short-sleeved top.
GettyArtur Soares Dias caught the attention of fans vs Denmark[/caption]
RexThe Portuguese official could be seen with an inking from Euro 2020[/caption]
Dias was already known to the Three Lions – after appearing to annoy their assistant coach Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink in the 1-0 Wembley friendly loss against Brazil in March.
Ex-Chelsea striker Hasselbaink believed the ref left too many challenges from the visitors unpunished.
This time, though, it was viewers who reacted with astonishment – when it became clear Dias had a sizeable inking.
One posted: “A referee with tattoos, my God the woke mob have really done it now.”
Another wrote: “Don’t think I have ever seen a referee with tattoos.”
But a particularly keen-eyed third viewer had a different slant on the matter.
He said: “Admire that this referee has got the five rings tattoo and presumably therefore refers to himself as an Olympian.”
Other viewers then noticed the same thing.
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One commented: “Also have a 2020 Olympics tattoo.”
And another suggested: “There has to be a 2024 one under there somewhere.”
But Dias’ tattoo was just a small distraction from a frustrating England stalemate.
One fan wrote: “This England team is doing my head in …can’t stand theses world class players…they are useless.”
Meet England’s Euro 2024 Wags
England Wags range from childhood sweethearts to recently blossoming love stories.
Katie Goodland (Harry Kane’s wife)
The fitness instructor has been married to the England captain since 2019 and joined him in Germany with their four children after he joined Bayern Munich.
Laura Celia Valk (Jude Bellingham’s girlfriend)
The stunning Dutch model, 25, has more than half a million Instagram followers and is said to be absolutely smitten with the Real Madrid star.
Rebecca Cooke (Phil Foden’s girlfriend)
Foden’s childhood sweetheart and the mother of his two kids tends to keep out of the spotlight, but is a regular at England games.
Dani Dyer (Jarrod Bowen’s girlfriend)
England’s most famous Wag, former Love Island winner and daughter of Eastenders’ Danny Dyer.
Iris Law (Trent Alexander-Arnold’s girlfriend)
Dani Dyer isn’t the only actor’s daughter dating an England star. Iris’ dad is Hollywood legend Jude Law.
Megan Davison (Jordan Pickford’s wife)
Megan has been with Pickford since he was 14 years old. The couple married in 2022 and have one son.
Olivia Naylor (John Stones’ girlfriend)
The 33-year-old former beautician has stepped back from her role after giving birth to a baby son.
Read more about the Wags who will be supporting England at Euro 2024 here