Roberto Rosetti succeeds Pierluigi Collina as UEFA's chief refereeing officer

020 - Rosetti will also assume the position of the Chairman of the Referees' Committee

UEFA has announced that Roberto Rosetti is to replace Pierluigi Collina as its Chief Refereeing Officer, after Collina announced his decision to step down for personal reasons at the UEFA summer refereeing course in Nyon today.

Pierluigi Collina, 58, was appointed as UEFA’s first ever Chief Refereeing Officer in 2010, following his retirement as a referee in 2005.  In that time, he has achieved major advances in the professional handling of referees and overseen, among other important features, the establishment of the Centre of Refereeing Excellence (CORE).  During his tenure, UEFA has created 360 degree monitoring and development programmes for officials to improve their technical, fitness and nutrition standards and ensure that tactical elements and knowledge of teams became part of the referees’ preparation for every match.

In accepting his resignation, UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin said:

"Pierluigi brought the same vision, understanding and flair to his role at UEFA that he demonstrated in the matches he refereed.  I wish to thank him for his commitment during these years and for what he has brought to European football as Chief Refereeing Officer."

Pierluigi Collina said:

"It has been a privilege to work as UEFA's Chief Refereeing Officer during the last 8 years. I am very proud of the results achieved together with my fellow Refereeing Officers and the UEFA Referees' Committee. I wish to thank UEFA for the strong support given to refereeing in these years and also all the match officials for their full commitment."
 
Roberto Rosetti, 50, was an international referee from 2002 up to his retirement in 2010. The highlight of his career came during UEFA EURO 2008, where he refereed the opening match between Switzerland and the Czech Republic, as well as the final which saw Spain win the tournament against Germany.  In 2008 he was awarded the honour of being named the World’s Best Referee by the International Federation of Football, History and Statistics.

Rosetti was responsible for implementing Video Assistant Referees at the recent World Cup in Russia, having previously spent two years as the country’s head of refereeing.

In accepting the post of Chief Refereeing Officer, Rosetti will also assume the position of the Chairman of the Referees' Committee.

Announcing his appointment, Aleksander Čeferin said:

"Roberto was the natural choice for the job.  His experience, knowledge and standing in the game are outstanding and I know he will chair the Committee with passion and enthusiasm."

Roberto Rosetti said:

"It is a great honour to accept this job. UEFA has led the way in referee development in recent years and I am looking forward to the challenge of continuing and enhancing that progress, alongside the President, my fellow Refereeing Officers, the Committee and the rest of the organisation."