Collina manned the whistle during Manchester United‘s Champions League win against Bayern Munich in 1999 and officiated for a 17-year period between 1988 and 2005. He also officiated the 2002 FIFA World Cup final.
We Need Radical Changes to Penalty Kicks, says Legendary Referee Pierluigi Collina
One of the most noticeable referees in football history, Pierluigi Collina is under the assumption that the worldwide penalty kick rule should be changed, and the taker of the spot kick should not be able to score if they miss on their first attempt.
At the age of 45, the fearsome Italian hung up his whistle in 2005 after taking centre stage for Everton‘s Champions League qualifier clash with Villarreal on August 24, 2005 – and two decades on, he’s recommended that penalty kicks need a major change.
Synonymous with football fans across Europe, Bologna-born Collina struck fear into plenty of footballers with his no-nonsense attitude. Despite his persona, the defender-turned-referee was revered for his ability to control all 22 men on the pitch.
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Speaking to Italian publication Repubblica, Collina said: “I believe there is an excessive gap between the opportunities available to the attacker and those of the goalkeeper. On average, 75% of penalties are already scored, and often, the penalty kick is a bigger chance than the one taken away by the foul.
On a potential solution to said issue, Collina insisted that football should implement a ‘one shot’ rule where the penalty taker should get the solitary chance to convert from 12 yards out. Should it get saved, play would resume as normal.
“On top of that, the attacker is also given a chance to play the rebound off the goalkeeper. In my opinion, goalkeepers should be complaining,” he continued before adding, “I’ve already mentioned this in discussions we’ve had at IFAB.”
He also suggested that it would ‘eliminate the spectacle’
He also suggested that it would ‘eliminate the spectacle’ of a sea of players encroaching the 18-yard box by saying: “This would also eliminate the spectacle we see before a penalty is taken, with everyone crowding around the area.”
One solution is the ‘one shot’ rule. Just like in penalty shootouts after extra time. No rebound. Either you score or play resumes with a goal kick, period.
Upon retiring, after a career spanning 240 Serie A encounters, Collina became UEFA’s refereeing officer in 2017 – and thus, his influence on the refereeing world cannot be understated. Whether the higher-ups will listen remains to be seen.
