Collina was born in Bologna and graduated from the University of Bologna with a degree in economics in 1984.
He was a center-back for a local team during his adolescence but was persuaded to take a referee’s course in 1977, where it was discovered that he had a special aptitude for the job. He was officiating at the highest level of regional matches within three years, while also completing his mandatory military service. In 1988, he advanced faster than usual to the national third division, Serie C1 and Serie C2. He was promoted to officiating Serie B and Serie A matches after three seasons.
Collina developed a severe form of alopecia around this time, resulting in the permanent loss of all of his facial hair, giving him his distinctive bald appearance and earning him the nickname Kojak. He was added to FIFA’s Referees List in 1995, after officiating 43 Serie A matches. At the 1996 Olympic Games, he was assigned five matches, including the final between Nigeria and Argentina. He officiated the 1999 UEFA Champions League Final between Bayern Munich and Manchester United, which he described as a “lions’ roar” at the end.
Where is Pierluigi Collina now?
Pierluigi Collina now resides in Forte dei Marmi.
