Pierluigi Collina

Pierluigi Collina transitioned from a celebrated football referee to an influential figure in the sport’s administration and an in-demand speaker, sharing insights on leadership and adherence to rules from his distinguished career. After officiating the 2002 FIFA World Cup final between Brazil and Germany, Pierluigi Collina cemented his legacy as one of football’s most respected and influential figures. His distinguished career as a referee began after he embarked on a referee’s course in 1977, following his graduation with a degree in economics from the University of Bologna in 1984. By 1988, Collina was officiating high-profile matches in the Italian Serie A League, having rapidly advanced through the national third division, Serie C1 and Serie C2, and within three seasons, earning promotion to Serie B and Serie A.

In recognition of his unparalleled contributions to football, he was proudly inducted into the Italian Football Hall of Fame in 2011. Collina has also been a prominent advocate for innovation and social causes within football. He was deeply involved in the introduction and evaluation of the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system, preparing and training referees for its implementation at the 2018 World Cup. His insights into his career and the importance of rules are captured in his autobiography, ‘My Rules of the Game.’ Beyond the pitch, Collina has leveraged his platform for humanitarian efforts, serving as an International Red Cross Ambassador for the “Children in War” campaign in 2004 and a FIFA Ambassador for SOS Italy Children’s Villages.