Repubblica: Collina annoyed with Simonelli’s comments regarding Milan-Como referees

Pierluigi Collina didn’t appreciate the words of the Serie A president, Ezio Simonelli, regarding the Milan-Como clash in Australia the other day. 

Collina is a well-known name for most football fans, having enjoyed a very successful career as a referee up until 2006. Now, he’s the Chairman of FIFA’s referees committee and also has partnerships with the AIA, UEFA and more.

A few days ago, amid demands from the Asian Football Federation to use their own referees for Milan-Como in Australia, the Serie A president Simonelli used Collina’s stamo pf approval as an argument. However, according to La Repubblica (via Il Garante), the former referee didn’t appreciate this at all.

“We had a number of concerns about the requirements we received, but Collina gave us ample assurances regarding the Asian referees and highlighted a few potential candidates.

“This condition, which was the most difficult to accept, we will accept. We overcame the hurdle regarding the referees thanks to the great confidence we have in Collina,” Simonelli stated.

While Collina did provide Serie A with assurances regarding the Asian Football Federation’s referees, he won’t be the one choosing the referees for the game. That’s why the 65-year-old was annoyed with Simonelli’s comments, making it seem like he would be involved in the selection process.