Pierluigi Collina

Pierluigi Collina was, without a doubt, one of the world's greatest football referees and is one of the mostrecognizedd faces around the globe today.

Pierluigi provides a world-renown face to enhance any conference or dinner event. The Italian former football referee reached the highest level in the game and was renowned for his pinpoint decision making, fairness and calming influence. His amusing after dinner speeches include anecdotes from both on and off the pitch and he also delivers motivational speeches for conferences.

Pierluigi's career highlights include the final of the Atlanta Olympic Games in 1996, the UEFA Champions League Final in Barcelona in 1999, the World Cup in France in 1998, Euro 2000 and the World Cup Final in 2002. Mr. Collina has been a referee since 1977 and was voted best referee of the world voted by IFFHS for 6 consecutive years between 1998 and 2003 as well as best referee in the Italian league for 6 years.

An economics graduate (cum laude) from the University of Bologna, Mr. Collina is a financial consultant by profession (Italian League referee is not a full-time position). As well as the awards he has collected on the pitch, Mr. Collina has been honoured around the world for his achievements. These honours include the Commendatore dell'Ordine al Merito della Repubblica Italiana bestowed upon him in 2003.

Outside of his football and professional life, Pierluigi is an energetic champion of good causes. He was International Red Cross' ambassador for the campaign "Children in war", 2004, and FIFA Ambassador for the SOS Italia Children Villages. He is the author of the book "The Rules of the Game", published in Italy in 2003 and translated in more than 10 different languages and 20 countries.

Pierluigi provides a fascinating glimpse of what it takes to be the best and stay the best and how dedication to a goal in life has led to fame and success - plus many anecdotes from the challenges he has faced when managing "interesting situations"