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by **Homebooby** » Mon Aug 29, 2005 2:02 pm

Collina retires from refereeing (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/4194784.stm)

Italian referee Pierluigi Collina has retired after resigning from the Italian Association of Referees (AIA).

The 45-year-old had been accused by the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) of a conflict of interest after accepting a sponsorship deal.

Opel, who also sponsor AC Milan, were to pay Collina £545,000 per year and the FIGC told Collina he would only be able to referee second division games.

"After 28 years I've decided to hand in my resignation," said Collina.

"People must believe in a referee. In the end, we have all lost out."

"I have slept less these last few nights than on the eve of the World Cup final.

"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 been voted the world's best referee five times, took charge of the 2002 World Cup final between Brazil and Germany.

He was due to retire in the summer but the Italian football association extended the maximum age for referees to 46 to accommodate him for a further year.

Strange as this coincides with possibly the worst match I have seen him referee last week.

by **zarababe** » Mon Aug 29, 2005 2:08 pm

.. he got a reputation for being the best, though can't comment cos didn't see much of him. Those Alien eyes were a killer though ..

by **Red Hot Mama** » Mon Aug 29, 2005 2:11 pm

Suppose Neverton would have preferred he retired 2 weeks ago

by **RAFABENITEZ** » Mon Aug 29, 2005 2:14 pm

I watch Seria A alot and lets just say, not all of italy, especially JUVE, think he`s the best ref. His popularity in Italy isnt that good.

by **Homebooby** » Mon Aug 29, 2005 2:29 pm

Red Hot Mama wrote:Suppose Neverton would have preferred he retired 2 weeks ago

damnstraight. I agree with the opinion of how good he was, but last week he was way way off. Maybe this all had something to do with it,

by **RAFABENITEZ** » Mon Aug 29, 2005 2:43 pm

Homebooby wrote:
Red Hot Mama wrote:Suppose Neverton would have preferred he retired 2 weeks ago

damnstraight. I agree with the opinion of how good he was, but last week he was way way off. Maybe this all had something to do with it,

way off last week? i thought he had a solid game

by **Adebisi** » Mon Aug 29, 2005 2:51 pm

RAFABENITEZ wrote:I watch Seria A alot and lets just say, not all of italy, especially JUVE, think he`s the best ref. His popularity in Italy isnt that good.

haha yeah he is a major hate figure with the Juve fans

Wonder if Everton will make some kind of appeal :laugh:

by **liverpoolrich** » Mon Aug 29, 2005 2:57 pm

He was a good ref

by **stoney** » Mon Aug 29, 2005 3:07 pm

liverpoolrich wrote:He was a good ref

Not just good, last weeks showing against everton confirmed that he was still the best ref in the business. :laugh:

by **Kopboyau** » Mon Aug 29, 2005 3:10 pm

Shame to see a great Ref retire:(

by **Santa** » Mon Aug 29, 2005 7:52 pm

hoped he will come out of retirement and ref the Bluesh1te's next UEFA Cup game :laugh:

by **RAFABENITEZ** » Mon Aug 29, 2005 7:53 pm

by **mighty mo** » Mon Aug 29, 2005 8:22 pm

he retired because he is a closet red,he wanted to go out at the top by playing his part in getting the bitters out of the champions league and then retire gracefully knowing he achieved his mission.

by **Juventino** » Mon Sep 12, 2005 7:57 pm

RAFABENITEZ wrote:especially JUVE, think he`s the best ref.

It's the exact opposite lad

Juventus and Inter fans think he's and overrated ref. He costed both teams a scudetto in the past 5 years. Teams like Barcelona (against Chelsea in the last CL) dont like him too.

The only thing that made Collina a superstar is his weird look.

by **fivecups** » Wed Sep 14, 2005 7:12 pm

There was talk of him coming to the Premiership. Should grab him now while he's still :censored:

off.

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