ROME, 30 August 2005 — Pierluigi Collina, widely considered the world’s best referee, announced his retirement yesterday following a row with the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) over sponsorship.
The 45-year-old Serie A official, who refereed the 2002 World Cup final between Brazil and Germany, was told he would only be able to referee second division matches unless he dropped his sponsor, who also happens to be the same sponsor for Serie A side AC Milan.
The FIGC saw that as a conflict of interest and said it contravened their rules and those of the Italian football referee’s association (AIA).
After a meeting with AIA president Tullio Lanese, Collina decided to blow the final whistle on his distinguished 28-year career.
“I have slept less these last few nights than on the eve of the World Cup final,” he said at a press conference in his home town of Viareggio in Tuscany.
“For me it wouldn’t have been a problem to referee in Serie B, but either they (the FIGC) have faith in us referees or they don’t.
If they don’t, then we have to go. Without trust we cannot move forward.”
Collina, who has won the world’s best referee award six times, reached the retirement age for Italian referees this year but the FIGC allowed him to carry on for another season because of his excellent reputation.
He was due to officiate in the Champions League this season but was not eligible for the 2006 World Cup in Germany.
Instantly recognizable for his bald head and bulging eyes, Collina is a celebrity in his own right in Italy, often appearing on television shows and advertisements.
