Pierluigi Collina: GOAT Referee Opens Up on How He Saw Death and Life in 1999 Champions League Final

• Pierluigi Collina has explained how the 1999 UEFA Champions League final taught him a lesson
• Nicknamed Sergeant Kojak, Collina was voted best referee of the year on six occasions by FIFA
• He was a key figure in many high-profile football games during the mid-1990s and early 2000s

Legendary Italian referee, Pierluigi Collina reminisced on his greatest football moment as a referee.

Currently serving as the head of referees at FIFA, Collina recounted how the iconic 1999 UEFA Champions League final had taught him a wholesome lesson.

At the peak of his refereeing career, the 62-year-old witnessed first-hand one of the greatest comebacks in world football, during Manchester United and Bayern Munich's epic clash at Camp Nou.

Man United scored two late goals in two minutes for an outstanding comeback win, after trailing for the most part of the game, per Manutd.

Pele: How Brazil football icon caused ceasefire in Nigeria vs Biafra civil war

Football

Reflecting on the moment, which is still fresh in Collina's memory, he said:

“It was the last two minutes of the Champions League final. I saw the Bayern players on the bench getting ready to celebrate the title," he said as quoted by Sportslifestyle. “The fans in the stadium were happy that their team was crowned with the Champions League title."

However, Collina explained, the Red Devils scored two goals in the space of two minutes and the result was turned on its head.

"I will never forget how the English stands were filled with great noise as if they were roaring lions, while there was a funeral silence in the Bayern stands."

Collina detailed the contrasting emotions on both sides, with Man United players celebrating with near hysteria while one Bayern player fell to the ground in disappointment and desperation.

Pele: Guardiola breaks down how late Brazilian revolutionized football

Football

“I approached him and found nothing to say to him except 'Get up and fight, you still have 20 seconds!' At that moment, I saw the true face of football, death and life in one stadium, people celebrating madly and desperate people to death!"

Referees to monitor foul play

Sports Brief earlier reported that World Cup referees cracked down on foul play in a bid to protect players from injury, according to FIFA refereeing chief, Pierluigi Collina.

The iconic official previously revealed all 32 teams at the Mundial had been warned that match officials in Qatar would be taking a hard line against any player endangering an opponent.

Collina, widely regarded as the greatest referee of all time, said FIFA referees and officials had also visited teams competing in the World Cup to make this directive clear.