Collina to resign from Italy's referees association

Pierluigi Collina, arguably soccer's most recognizable referee, is quitting Italy's referees association over a sponsorship issue. Collina recently signed a sponsorship deal with car manufacturer Opel, the main sponsor of AC Milan. Soccer officials said the arrangement caused a conflict of interest and ordered Collina to end the deal or quit. The move will end his Serie A career, although the Italian Soccer Federation said it wasn't clear if Collina can continue working European matches. Italy's referees association governs all levels of soccer in Italy. Collina, recognizable for his bald head, acknowledged that he was wrong to accept the sponsorship, saying the mistake had ended a 28-year refereeing career. "Respecting the rules is fundamental for me," Collina said, according to the ANSA news agency. "It was an error. I should have respected the rules." Collina has officiated four finals in top international competition: the 1996 Olympics, the 1998-99 Champions League, the 2002 World Cup and last season's UEFA Cup. Collina had been granted an exemption to continue refereeing in Italy this season, even though he reached the league's age limit of 45 in February. "I slept less last night than the eve of the World Cup final," Collina said. Collina considered a proposal that he referee only second-division games this season, but said that would not be an adequate solution. "The problem is if you believe in the referees or not. Without faith in the referee, it's useless to go forward," he said.