Famous whistleblower Colina: When I was 24, I lost all my hair in 15 days, and then my baldness became my trademark.

When the famous Italian referee Collina attended an event in Rome, he told a series of anecdotes from his career. He talks about the 2002 World Cup final, the crisis caused by hair loss, and memories of different stadiums.

About the 2002 World Cup final between Germany and Brazil

Colina: It was a stadium that moved me greatly, although maybe I didn’t fully experience it that day, because I personally think that the right way to deal with a game like that is to treat it like an ordinary game: this is a positive approach, because it allows you to face every game very calmly, but it also prevents you from having certain memories.

About hair loss

Colina: When I was 24 years old, within 15 days, I found that all my hair fell out. In those days, not having hair was as common as it is today, and now it's almost a fashion. I was so different that some doubted I would still be able to officiate at an inter-regional level. I did a test just to see what would happen. I'm grateful for the Latina audience because they are more interested in my abilities than my appearance. The test passed and I started officiating games again. After that, it also became an effect because it made me more recognisable.

On what the court means to you

Colina: The court is where everything happens, where my dreams come true. The one I’m most excited about these days is Candy Box Stadium. When I was there I thought "I hope nothing happens or we won't get out". Safety standards are a little lax there... (laughs). But everything going on around the pitch was so exciting that it was well worth the trip.

I was also fortunate to have officiated at the stadium in Montevideo, which hosted the first World Cup final, and also at the old Wembley Stadium. I officiated the England-Scotland game there and there was a broom in the referee's dressing room. I have lots of anecdotes about England. For example, at Craven Cottage, Fulham's stadium, we had to change one by one because four people couldn't stand. Chelsea's dressing room is also very cramped. I always try to go to courses I'm not familiar with the day before a game so I can familiarize myself with the structure and lighting. I believe that understanding, even the pitch, is always the best way to approach a game.

On relationships with players and coaches

Colina: On the court, I experience the games in a special way, but then I develop great relationships with some of them. There was a photo of me and Casiraghi intensely facing each other during a Lazio-Juventus match, and a week later he sent me that photo with a respectful inscription.