Pierluidji Collina Football referee Date of Birth: 13.02.1960 Country: Italy

Biography of Pierluigi Collina

Born on February 13, 1960, in Bologna, Pierluigi Collina is the only son of a civil servant and a teacher. Like all Italian boys, he spent his evenings playing football on the local field. Eventually, he was recruited by the local church team. In early 1977, a friend suggested that he try his hand at refereeing. From his very first match, it became clear that Pierluigi had a talent for being an arbiter.

In the 1983-1984 season, Pierluigi made it to the national level and soon after, the international level. He was recognized as the best referee of the year for five consecutive times, earning him the honorary title of the "fierce Italian." The announcement was made by representatives of the International Federation of Football History and Statistics in Rome.

After completing high school with a focus on the sciences, Collina enrolled in the Faculty of Economics and Commerce at the University of Bologna, graduating with honors in 1984. Since 1991, he has been living in the Tuscan city of Viareggio, working as a financial advisor at a bank.

Pierluigi is married to Gianna and they have two daughters. He has a passion for basketball and supports the club "Fortitudo" from Bologna.

Collina became memorable to football fans not only for his exceptional impartiality but also for his Hollywood smile, piercing eyes that seemed to glare at players, and his bald head.