The head of FIFA, Pierluigi Collina, widely considered one of the greatest football officials of all time, warns that growing hostility to referees could become “cancer that kills football”. He also said that the situation was aggravated for referees with social media growth.
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FIFA’s refereeing chief, Pierluigi Collina, undoubtedly the largest football official of all time, believes that growing hatred against referees could become “cancer that could kill football”.
The referee of the Premier League Michael Oliver was recently subjected to online abuses and threats after influential decisions in the games involving Arsenal and Liverpool. In Türkiye, Fenerbahce manager Jose Moruinho has always criticized the league arbitration.
Collina feels that the atmosphere of referees in the game was “never easy”, but it has worsened over time.
“It was never easy,” said Collina News. “So I can say it’s worse now than before.”
“The responsibility of making a decision is something important. The interest is very important, especially at the higher level. So it’s difficult.
The 65 -year -old Italian, who officiated the 2002 World Cup final, believes that the advent of social media has worsened things for the referees.
“This probably worsens in relation to my time when social networks did not exist,” said Collina.
Another aspect of which Collina discussed was the abuses that the referees have in football for young people, who, according to him, can massively damage the game while young players will in the future become the citizens of the next generation.
“Different is the question of abuses towards referees, especially in basic football and young people. This is something we have to consider. »»
“I talked about cancer that could kill football,” said Collina. “I am always convinced that it is not understandable that in youth matches, the parents of boys and girls who play football are those who abuse the referee who helps.
“They have experiences that could be important for the future. Not (only) as a footballer, because probably 0.0001% will become a professional footballer, but they all become women and men. And this experience they have learned as a young footballer can help them in their lives. »»
