Collina blows final whistle on career
Monday, August 29, 2005
Article summary
Italian match official Pierluigi Collina has announced his retirement from refereeing at a press conference in his home town of Viareggio today.
Article body
Immediate effect
The Italian match official had been granted special dispensation from the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) to carry on refereeing this season, despite having reached the official retirement age of 45 last February. The FIGC introduced a rule allowing referees to continue for a year after their 45th birthdays. However, Collina – probably the world's best-known whistle-blower – has decided to leave the Association of Italian Referees with immediate effect.
'Unavoidable decision'
"After 28 years in the association, I feel I have to retire now. A referee needs the faith of others to be able to do his job properly," he said. Collina has recently been at the centre of a controversy after signing a sponsorship deal with a company that also sponsors AC Milan.
Last match
His final match in charge was last Wednesday's UEFA Champions League third qualifying round second leg between Villarreal CF and Everton FC in Spain, where he disallowed a late goal from the English team that could have taken the tie into extra time.
