Pierluigi Collina keynote speaker

Without a doubt the world's greatest football referee and one of the most recognised faces in the world today. He has reached the highest level in the game and is renowned for his pinpoint decision making, fairness and calming influence. 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, Mr. Collina 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.

He 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".

Mr. Collina refereed his last major international tournament, Euro 2004. After retiring in 2005 he chaired the Serie A referees from 2007 to 2010 and then he moved to UEFA where he worked as Chief Refereeing Officer and Chairman of the Referees Committee until 2018. He is currently the Chairman of the FIFA Referees Committee.