Pierluigi Collina

Collina was born in Bologna and attended the University of Bologna, graduating with a degree in economics in 1984. During his teenage years, he played as a centre-back for a local team, but was persuaded in 1977 to take a referee's course, where it was discovered that he had a particular aptitude for the job. Within three years he was officiating at the highest level of regional matches, while also completing his compulsory military service. In 1988, he progressed more rapidly than normal to the national third division, Serie C1 and Serie C2. After three seasons, he was promoted to officiating Serie B and Serie A matches.

Around this time, Collina developed a severe form of alopecia, resulting in the permanent loss of all his facial hair, giving him his distinctive bald appearance and earning the nickname Kojak.

In 1995, after officiating at 43 Serie A matches, he was placed on FIFA's Referees List. He was allocated five matches at the 1996 Olympic Games, including the final between Nigeria and Argentina. He refereed the 1999 UEFA Champions League final between Bayern Munich and Manchester United; he cited this as his most memorable game because of the cheers at the end, which he described as a "lions' roar".[http://data.7m.cn/euro2004/referee_data/2/index_en.shtml Referee profile] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120911112918/http://data.7m.cn/euro2004/referee_data/2/index_en.shtml |date=11 September 2012 }} mentioning the "lion's roar", 1999: the Euro 2004 section of the 7M.CN website.

File:Maglia di pierluigi collina indossata nella finale mondiale brasile-germania del 30-06-02.jpg worn at the 2002 FIFA World Cup final]]

In June 2002, Collina reached the pinnacle of his career, when he was chosen to officiate the World Cup final, between Brazil and Germany. Prior to the game, Germany's Oliver Kahn told the Irish Times: "Collina is a world-class referee, there's no doubt about that, but he doesn't bring luck, does he?" Kahn was referring to two previous high-profile matches that Collina had refereed which involved Kahn: the aforementioned 1999 UEFA Champions League final, a 2–1 defeat for Bayern; and Germany's 5–1 defeat against England in September 2001.[https://www.irishtimes.com/sports/soccer/worldcup2002/news/0701/news1.htm World Cup 2002 News] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121011184152/http://www.irishtimes.com/sports/soccer/worldcup2002/news/0701/news1.htm |date=11 October 2012 }}: Ireland.com (The Irish Times) (1 July 2002). Retrieved on 29 May 2007. Kahn's luck did not change in the final, and his team lost 2–0.

He refereed the 2004 UEFA Cup Final between Valencia and Marseille. UEFA Euro 2004 was his last major international tournament, as in February 2005, he reached the mandatory retirement age. His last international match was Portugal against Slovakia, a 2006 FIFA World Cup qualifier at Estádio da Luz in Lisbon.

The FIGC raised its mandatory retirement age to 46 in order to accommodate Collina for a further season. However, a dispute emerged between the federation and Collina early in August 2005, following his decision to sign a sponsorship deal with Opel (also advertising for Vauxhall Motors in the United Kingdom – both were owned by General Motors at the time). As Opel was also a sponsor of Serie A club A.C. Milan, the deal was seen as a conflict of interest and Collina was not allowed to referee top-flight matches in Italy. In response, he handed in his resignation, effectively ending his career. The Italian Referees Association then attempted to reject his resignation, but Collina persisted with his retirement from the league.

Collina attracted the ire of Luciano Moggi, the Juventus executive and chief instigator of the 2006 Italian football scandal. Collina was one of the referees that Moggi attempted to have punished for decisions that were made against Juventus. In an intercepted phone call, Moggi claimed that Collina and his colleague Roberto Rosetti were too "objective" and should be "punished" for it.{{cite web |title="Consigli" agli arbitri e minacce Le telefonate dei potenti del calcio - Serie A - Calcio - Sport - Repubblica.it |url=https://www.repubblica.it/2006/05/sezioni/sport/calcio/inchieste-intercettazioni/inchieste-intercettazioni/inchieste-intercettazioni.html?refresh_ce |website=repubblica.it |access-date=12 January 2020 |language=it |archive-date=12 January 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200112132754/https://www.repubblica.it/2006/05/sezioni/sport/calcio/inchieste-intercettazioni/inchieste-intercettazioni/inchieste-intercettazioni.html%3Frefresh_ce |url-status=live }}[http://worldreferee.com/site/copy.php?linkID=44&linkType=referee&contextType=bio Roberto Rosetti] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111004130710/http://worldreferee.com/site/copy.php?linkID=44&linkType=referee&contextType=bio |date=4 October 2011 }}. Worldreferee.com. Retrieved on 4 December 2011. As a result, he and Rosetti were two of the few referees that emerged unscathed from the scandal.

After retiring from Serie A, Collina refereed the Soccer Aid matches for charity in May 2006 and September 2008. During the latter of these games, Collina was involved in an awkward fall and was stretchered off after 21 minutes of play. He later refereed the first half of the 2010 Soccer Aid match.

His final competitive game was a Champions League qualifier between Everton and Villarreal on 24 August 2005. He announced his retirement soon after the game.

Collina was appointed head of referees for the Football Federation of Ukraine since 2010. His work in this position is criticised by national referees who disapprove of his lack of involvement in Ukrainian football (spending not more than two weeks per year in Ukraine) and possible tolerance towards corruption in the Ukrainian national football association.{{Cite web|url=http://www.matchday.ua/blog/uvaga-uvaga/kollina-prikrivaye-korupciyu-svoyim-imenem-spovid-arbitra-249/|title="Колліна прикриває корупцію своїм іменем". Сповідь арбітра|website=www.matchday.ua|access-date=5 May 2016|archive-date=20 May 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220520040418/http://www.matchday.ua/blog/uvaga-uvaga/kollina-prikrivaye-korupciyu-svoyim-imenem-spovid-arbitra-249/|url-status=dead}}

Collina was involved in the introduction and evaluation of the video assistant referee system for the 2018 World Cup. During the tournament he pointed out the system's effectiveness{{cite web |url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/football/world-cup/fifa-referee-chief-pierluigi-collina-pleased-with-impact-of-var-at-2018-world-cup/news-story/bb4c7b71d0c51fd250731262b5985e59 |title=FIFA referee chief Pierluigi Collina 'pleased' with impact of VAR at 2018 World Cup |date=30 June 2018 |access-date=3 October 2022 |archive-date=3 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221003090745/https://www.foxsports.com.au/football/world-cup/fifa-referee-chief-pierluigi-collina-pleased-with-impact-of-var-at-2018-world-cup/news-story/bb4c7b71d0c51fd250731262b5985e59 |url-status=live }} and later commented positively on its application.{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/soccer/blog/marcottis-musings/62/post/3596315/world-cup-referee-chief-pierluigi-collina-dishes-on-var-impact-at-russia-2018 |title=World Cup ref chief Pierluigi Collina dishes on VAR impact at Russia 2018 |date=15 August 2018 |access-date=3 October 2022 |archive-date=3 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221003090748/https://www.espn.com/soccer/blog/marcottis-musings/62/post/3596315/world-cup-referee-chief-pierluigi-collina-dishes-on-var-impact-at-russia-2018 |url-status=live }}

File:Qatar v Japan – AFC Asian Cup 2019 final 06.jpg between Japan and Qatar]]

In 1988, Collina met his wife Gianna in Versilia. After living together almost from their meeting, they moved to the coastal town of Viareggio. Since their marriage, the couple have had two daughters. In 2003, Collina published his autobiography, My Rules of the Game (Le Mie Regole del Gioco). In August 2005, after his retirement, he concentrated on his own business, as a financial advisor. Today he lives in Forte dei Marmi.{{Cite news|url=http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/10810200/pierluigi-collina-wants-referee-crowding-killed-from-football|title=Pierluigi Collina wants referee crowding 'killed' from football|work=Sky Sports|access-date=31 May 2018|language=en|archive-date=30 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180630185810/http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/10810200/pierluigi-collina-wants-referee-crowding-killed-from-football|url-status=live}}

After refereeing the Second Round match between Japan and Turkey at the 2002 FIFA World Cup, Collina became famous in Japan, and appeared in a television advert for frozen takoyaki products. He is also very popular in Turkey, as no Turkish team, national or club, lost a game with him in charge.[http://www.adwin.co.jp/data/news/collina/index.html {{nihongo|Referee Collina, the referee of the last match for Japan at the World Cup, appears on Japanese Commercial!!|ワールドカップ日本最終戦の主審 あのコリーナ審判が日本のCMに登場!!}}] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090901011743/http://www.adwin.co.jp/data/news/collina/index.html |date=1 September 2009 }} ADWIN Communication & Marketing website (Japanese) retrieved 19 December 2009

Although Collina is closely identified with football, his favourite sports club plays basketball. He is a lifelong supporter of local club Fortitudo Bologna.{{cite web |url=https://www.superbasket.it/2019/12/24/road-to-derby-i-fischietti-rizzoli-e-collina/ |title=ROAD TO DERBY: I fischietti Rizzoli e Collina |website=SuperBasket |language=it |date=24 December 2019 |access-date=30 November 2022 |archive-date=30 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221130020136/https://www.superbasket.it/2019/12/24/road-to-derby-i-fischietti-rizzoli-e-collina/ |url-status=live }} On 25 January 2010, Collina participated in a special match for supporting victims of the earthquake in Haiti between a team called "Friends of Zidane and Ronaldo" and Benfica in Lisbon.{{cite web |url=https://www.uefa.com/news-media/news/01e1-0e73b86f35ec-46d397353a28-1000--stars-shine-for-haiti-in-lisbon-fundraiser/ |title=Stars shine for Haiti in Lisbon fundraiser |website=UEFA |date=26 January 2010 |access-date=30 November 2022 |archive-date=1 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221201021124/https://www.uefa.com/insideuefa/sustainability/activities/01e1-0e73b86f35ec-46d397353a28-1000--stars-shine-for-haiti-in-lisbon-fundraiser/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=https://en.prnasia.com/releases/global/55_000_spectators_joined_the_Match_Against_Poverty_in_support_of_Haiti_-27595.shtml |title=55,000 Spectators Join the Match Against Poverty in Support of Haiti |website=prnasia.com |date=27 January 2010 |access-date=30 November 2022 |archive-date=30 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221130020134/https://en.prnasia.com/releases/global/55_000_spectators_joined_the_Match_Against_Poverty_in_support_of_Haiti_-27595.shtml |url-status=live }}

In July 2002, he appeared in cartoon form in George Michael's video "Shoot the Dog".{{cite news |title=Soccer: Collina ends his career as a referee |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2005/08/30/sports/soccer-collina-ends-his-career-as-a-referee.html |access-date=4 September 2020 |work=The New York Times |date=30 August 2005 |archive-date=7 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221207193647/https://www.nytimes.com/2005/08/30/sports/soccer-collina-ends-his-career-as-a-referee.html |url-status=live }}

In 2003, Collina appeared in an advert of a Turkish GSM operator, Aria, due to his popularity in Turkey.{{Cite web |date=21 February 2003 |title=Hakem Collina, Aria reklamı için geliyor |url=https://www.hurriyet.com.tr/hakem-collina-aria-reklami-icin-geliyor-38543783 |access-date=2023-03-10 |website=Hürriyet |language=tr |archive-date=10 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230310160826/https://www.hurriyet.com.tr/hakem-collina-aria-reklami-icin-geliyor-38543783 |url-status=live }} In December 2004, he starred in a commercial for MB Pivo in Serbia, alongside Lazar Ristovski.{{cite web |url=https://arhiva.glas-javnosti.rs/arhiva/2004/12/23/srpski/R04122201.shtml |title=Najpoznatiji fudbalski sudija na svetu Pjerluiđi Kolina snimio spot za MB pivo u "Insomniji" |language=Serbian |trans-title=World's most famous referee Pierluigi Collina filmed a commercial for MB beer in "Insomnia" |author=Д. П. |date=21 December 2004 |website=arhiva.glas-javnosti.rs |access-date=17 August 2023 |archive-date=17 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230817135448/https://arhiva.glas-javnosti.rs/arhiva/2004/12/23/srpski/R04122201.shtml |url-status=live }} His quote in Serbian "Nema cekaj Lazo, daj MB pivo" (I can't wait no longer Laza, give me MB beer) is famous in Serbia.{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cvAtPgAWLTY |title=MB pivo Colina |website=youtube.com |date=5 August 2006 |access-date=17 August 2023 |archive-date=17 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230817135441/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cvAtPgAWLTY&gl=US&hl=en |url-status=live }} He appeared in another MB Pivo advert two years later.{{Cite web |date=2004-12-25 |title=Ceca i Pierluigi Collina zajedno u reklami |url=https://www.index.hr/clanak.aspx?id=241122 |access-date=2023-03-12 |website=www.index.hr |language=hr |archive-date=21 April 2005 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050421085240/http://www.index.hr/clanak.aspx?id=241122 |url-status=live }}

Collina's easily-recognisable face (to followers of football) also led to his appearance in an advert for the Vauxhall Vectra on UK television during the 2006 World Cup. He also appeared in adverts for MasterCard and Adidas during the tournament.

Collina was chosen as the cover figure for the football video games Pro Evolution Soccer 3 and Pro Evolution Soccer 4, appearing alongside compatriot Francesco Totti and Thierry Henry for the latter. This was unusual, as football games had come to almost exclusively feature only players and managers on their covers, and he did not feature in either game. In addition, he featured as an "unlockable" referee in the rival EA Sports game FIFA Football 2005, released shortly before Pro Evolution Soccer 4.

• IFFHS World's Best Referee: 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003{{cite web|url=http://iffhs.de/former-results/|title=Former Results|publisher=IFFHS.de|access-date=3 December 2017|archive-date=24 September 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190924094523/https://iffhs.de/former-results/|url-status=live}}{{cite web |url = https://www.rsssf.org/miscellaneous/iffhs-various.html |title = IFFHS – Various Annual Awards |access-date = 2 February 2023 |archive-date = 2 February 2023 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20230202084118/https://www.rsssf.org/miscellaneous/iffhs-various.html |url-status = live }}
• IFFHS All Time World's Best Referee 1987–2020{{cite web |url=https://www.iffhs.com/posts/975 |title=IFFHS ALL TIME RANKING OF THE WORLD'S BEST REFEREE (1987-2020) |website=IFFHS |date=26 February 2021 |access-date=2 March 2021 |archive-date=18 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210918163409/https://iffhs.com/posts/975 |url-status=live }}
• Honorary degree:[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/education/3892807.stm The referee's a...doctor?] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230104075545/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/education/3892807.stm |date=4 January 2023 }}. BBC News. 14 July 2004 Doctor of Science (2004), awarded by Hull University "for his contribution to the world of sport"
• Serie A Referee of the Year: 1997, 1998, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005
• Italian Football Hall of Fame: 2011{{cite web|url=http://www.gazzetta.it/Calcio/27-10-2015/hall-of-fame-vialli-mancini-facchetti-ronaldo-herrera-agnelli-tardelli-ferlaino-130676725232.shtml|title=Hall of fame, 10 new entry: con Vialli e Mancini anche Facchetti e Ronaldo|trans-title=Hall of fame, 10 new entries: with Vialli and Mancini also Facchetti and Ronaldo|publisher=La Gazzetta dello Sport|language=it|date=27 October 2015|access-date=27 October 2015|archive-date=28 October 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151028131551/http://www.gazzetta.it/Calcio/27-10-2015/hall-of-fame-vialli-mancini-facchetti-ronaldo-herrera-agnelli-tardelli-ferlaino-130676725232.shtml|url-status=live}}

;General

• My Rules of the Game: Pierluigi Collina (translated from the Italian by Iain Halliday), Macmillan, 2003. {{ISBN|0-330-41872-6}} Original title: Le Mie Regole del Gioco.

;Specific

{{reflist}}

• {{Commons category-inline|Pierluigi Collina}}

{{s-start}}

{{s-sports}}
{{flagicon|Italy}} Pierluigi Collina

{{Succession box

| before = {{flagicon|Colombia}} José Torres Cadena

| after = {{flagicon|Mexico}} Felipe Ramos Rizo

| title = 1996 FIFA Men's Olympic Football Tournament Final Referee

}}

{{Succession box

| before = {{flagicon|GER}} Hellmut Krug

| after = {{flagicon|ITA}} Stefano Braschi

| title = UEFA Champions League Final Referee

| years = 1998

}}

{{succession box|title=2002 FIFA World Cup Final Referee

|before=1998 FIFA World Cup Final
{{flagicon|Morocco}} Said Belqola|after={{flagicon|Argentina}}Horacio Elizondo}}

{{succession box|title=UEFA Cup Final referee

|before=2003
{{flagicon|SVK}} Ľuboš Micheľ

|after=2005
{{flagicon|ENG}} Graham Poll

|years=2004
{{flagicon|ITA}} Pierluigi Collina}}

{{s-end}}

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{{Serie A Referee of the Year}}

{{IFFHS World's Best Referee}}

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{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Collina, Pierluigi}}

Category:1960 births

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Category:Sportspeople from Bologna

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