By Muhammad Kabir Dauda
Pierluigi Collina is a former Italian football referee widely regarded as one of the greatest referees of all time. He was born on February 13 1960, in Bologna, Italy. Collina began his refereeing career in 1988 and quickly rose through the ranks earning his first international badge in 1995.
Collina’s referee style was characterised by his calm and authoritative demeanor as well as his ability to manage high pressure situations. He was known for his distinctive bald head and piercing eyes, which seemed to command respect from players and coaches alike.
Throughout his career, he officiated numerous high- profile matches including the 1999 Champions League final, the 2002 World Cup final and the 2004 European Championship final. He was named the FIFA World’s best referee six times, a record that still stands today.
Ashraf is of Shiekh Abubakar Gummi, Abuja
