The world’s most famous referee penned a contract with car manufacturers Opel this summer – the same company that sponsors Milan – sparking debate in the Italian Press about his impartiality.
“If this is the climate that is building around this issue, then we will make a sacrifice and give up the chance to have the best referee in the world take part in our Serie A and Coppa Italia games,” noted Milan chief Adriano Galliani in the Gazzetta dello Sport.
“I don’t think there’s anything scandalous about it, as in England referees are sponsored by Emirates and so are Chelsea. The reaction has proved to me once again than in Italy the attitude is different. We have to find a solution and I doubt Collina can suddenly tear up his contract with Opel, while football cannot lose its best official.”
Galliani – who is also head of the Lega Calcio – believes the only way out of this impasse is to ensure Collina is never in a position to favour Milan.
“If in Italy there are directors, referees, journalists and fans who think Collina can be affected by a sponsor that is also tied to a club, then he can carry on his career without including Milan.”
However, it’s possible that won’t be enough, as he could be accused of favouring the Rossoneri indirectly with ‘damaging’ decisions against their direct opponents in the Scudetto chase.
Tullio Lanese, President of the AIA (Italian Referees’ Association) pointed out that this was a storm in a teacup. “It’s true that Collina should have alerted us before signing a sponsorship contract, but if he had tied himself to any other car manufacturer – for example Toyota or Mazda, who also sponsor Serie A clubs – then nobody would’ve batted an eyelid.”
Source: Football Italia
I didn't even know referees were sponsored.
“If this is the climate that is building around this issue, then we will make a sacrifice and give up the chance to have the best referee in the world take part in our Serie A and Coppa Italia games,” noted Milan chief Adriano Galliani in the Gazzetta dello Sport.
“I don’t think there’s anything scandalous about it, as in England referees are sponsored by Emirates and so are Chelsea. The reaction has proved to me once again than in Italy the attitude is different. We have to find a solution and I doubt Collina can suddenly tear up his contract with Opel, while football cannot lose its best official.”
Galliani – who is also head of the Lega Calcio – believes the only way out of this impasse is to ensure Collina is never in a position to favour Milan.
“If in Italy there are directors, referees, journalists and fans who think Collina can be affected by a sponsor that is also tied to a club, then he can carry on his career without including Milan.”
However, it’s possible that won’t be enough, as he could be accused of favouring the Rossoneri indirectly with ‘damaging’ decisions against their direct opponents in the Scudetto chase.
Tullio Lanese, President of the AIA (Italian Referees’ Association) pointed out that this was a storm in a teacup. “It’s true that Collina should have alerted us before signing a sponsorship contract, but if he had tied himself to any other car manufacturer – for example Toyota or Mazda, who also sponsor Serie A clubs – then nobody would’ve batted an eyelid.”
Source: Football Italia
I didn't even know referees were sponsored.
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