The Rules of the Game

by Pierluigi Collina

On 30th June 2002 Pierluigi Collina, universally acknowledged to be the world's finest referee, officiated over Brazil and Germany in the World Cup Final. A matter of weeks later, he was back on the field refereeing a Italian Cup first round encounter between Sampdoria and Siena. This unique vantage point makes Collina perfectly placed to comment on the game, on the stars, the media and the matches he has overseen, including England's world cup victory over Argentina and Manchester United's dramatic treble winning European Cup Final. "The Rules of the Game" takes us as never before into the world of the referee, the preparation needed for each game, the managing of players and the other officials and the camaraderie behind the scenes. Collina describes how it feels to make a difficult decision, the pressures from the crowd and from the players while taking us through the most significant matches he has refereed. But more than anything this is Pierluigi Collina's chance to speak out about the game he loves. His passionate, expert and, sometimes controversial views are compulsory reading for anyone with a passing interest in the beautiful game. 'In my opinion, Collina is the best referee in the game' - David Beckham.

Genres: Football, Nonfiction, Biography, Sports, Autobiography

212 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2003

Reviews

[Jan-Michael Wildeman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent,enlightening recount of the preparation and perspectives needed for proper officiating in World of International soccer. I was unaware of the process of appointing officials for each match and the rigorous physical preparation, though it makes sense, given how the referee must cover and run all game for the most part, keeping eyes on the players and assistants. Even the pitch condition is their responsibility to examine and approve. A good read of life ion and off the pitch of officials.

[Yakup Bademci · Rating 5 out of 5]

Okuyanların, özellikle hakemlerin, içinden kendileri için alabileceklerinin fazlasıyla olduğu bir kitap.
Hakemliği gibi yazdığı bu kitap da kusursuz.

[Chris Allan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book very much. I think it helped that I am also a referee (local level), so it was useful to hear how one of the greats goes about it. But anyone interested in the background of this mysterious and much maligned profession will be interested in his insights.

The book doesn't read so much as an account of his life and career as a one sided conversation between Collina and a ghost writer. It's easy to picture the scene: Collina, writer, audio recorder in a room: "Tell me about your first match," "How did it feel being assigned to the World Cup final," "What is your preparation for a match." The answers are interesting, though I could have done a bit less with his observations about modern culture and politics, tbh.

A quick read, well worth it, helpful if you plan on watching or thinking about any sports in the future.

[Carlos Miguel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun and easy read.

As someone who loves and breathes football, it was interesting to see the impact and effort put behind the scenes by the referees. Their perspective on what they do and think of the game is based on biases and stereotypes. This book makes me appreciate more their work and the game.

One thing that I didn't like about this book was the pace. It seemed more like a collection of random thoughts rather than a coherent book. Still interesting, but there was not a clear path/direction.

[Ben · Rating 4 out of 5]

I quite enjoyed this book as it was interesting learning about football from a referee's perspective. Also this book was very useful with helping me with my sports college coursework. However, unlike a traditional autobiography, Collina talks about his childhood in the middle of the book which I found a bit strange.

[Mike Pollack · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a father of a son (presently 15) who is early in his refereeing career I found this book to be quite interesting and has given me a much better understanding and different perspective of the game. There were some chapters and passages that were okay but in total I am glad I read it as it provides me with a greater appreciation for referees and for what my son is doing.

[Shine Mathew · Rating 2 out of 5]

The 24 pages about actual further matches in chapter 4 (I think) were all that really were of any substance for me. The rest 180 pages are written in a dry formal time, almost like a referee's handbook. And honestly those 180 pages could be summed up in 20 pages max... way too much repetition for my taste.
Collina had a magnetic charisma on the field but it didn't translate on to the book.

[John M · Rating 2 out of 5]

Dull. Collina was a great referee but, sadly, that just doesn't come across in this book. Very few interesting anecdotes and lots of filler. To be fair, I used to be a referee too and my best tales would barely cover two sheets of A4.

[Nathan Herat · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting insight to a refs world

[Chris · Rating 2 out of 5]

A very official book, with lots of dull stories, I had a feeling that a team of 10 PR men were censoring. From a person of Collina's level I expected much more.

[Graziano Pagliarulo · Rating 2 out of 5]

Boring. Not what I expected

[Simon Burdus · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well written and interesting. Confirmed everything I already thought about the worlds best referee. Maybe a bit repetitive at times.

[Bridgit · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quick easy read with thoughtful insight on how officials prepare for a match, and how it has changed over the years.

[Shonaigh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting to get the game from another perspective and it definitely gave me a new found respect for referees. It isn't an easy job as Collina illustrated in his book. A real icon, fair ref and still has the reputation of being the very best. Usually the forgotten men of the game unless they make a name for themselves due to a high profile mistake/misjudgement. It is so unusual for a ref to have a status all of his own and just goes to show how good he really was. I enjoyed getting an insight into what is involved and the finer details of the job such as fitness, referee's own superstitions and starting out in the very low levels of football. As a person found him to be very interesting. Like to read about people and in this he comes across as a real family man, intelligent and with a deep love of the sport. Tactics, his own life and experiences are discussed and he recounts memorable matches he officiated. In his early career he talked of his first games in charge of lower league matches where the referee would often come under physical threat by fans, players and managers alike. Easy to read and anyone who loves the game should give this one a go. Despite my respect for the refs garnered through this read, I don't think it will prevent me from swearing at the TV due to the incompentency of the likes of Mike Dean, Martin Atkinson and Phil Dowd!

[Mohammed الصوفي · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm totally amazed and surprised how he used to cover all these details, even the teams tactics !! no wonder he has been chosen to manage two finals, a world cup and a champions league. It is wondeful to know that much about refereeing from someone who is - probably - the best referee of all times. Also it's nice to know about his personal life, hobbies, family, the other job, the alopecia thing and etc. I just wish he have written it after ritiring because I'm sure he has more to tell about the time from 2003 to 2006.

[Ahnafakmal · Rating 4 out of 5]

First of all I got this book from a charity store in Maidstone East, United Kingdom for low price. As soon as I saw the book cover of the bald referee, I did not think much to spend money on it, as the result came to be such a successful investment. A very good book to view football from another angle; from the eyes of an excellent referee. He told a lot of stuffs that you do not expect and imagine how simple or difficult this profession could be. In my opinion, Pierluigi Collina is a legendary referee and a good writer.

[Laura Walin · Rating 2 out of 5]

Compared to Graham Poll's book that I finished recently this book was more of a refereeing biography (not a biography of a referee as the personal details were kept at a minimum) than a book about refereeing. Collina unfortunately kept the same distancerom his readership than he does from the players - the ability of his that makes his such a great referee. What a pity that we lowest-elague referees don't get more of an entry into his thoughts.

[Leight · Rating 2 out of 5]

First 50 pages are worth a read - a few insightful anecdotes illuminate the much malligned yet fasciniating world of refeering, which adds to a wider appreciation of the game for football lovers. However, Collina soon gets on his soap box with repetition and grandstanding.

[TheDenizen · Rating 2 out of 5]

Pretty dry reading that labors through the boring stuff and skims over all the stuff you want to read about in detail. Collina barely mentions many of the great players he has shared the pitch with over the years.

[Jarrod · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fine and quick read about one of the game's historically best referees. A humble guy and someone that truly loves the game and did not appear to do it for himself. An honest account from a person with a good heart. Recommended to anyone that enjoys the game and/or loves being a referee.

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Eh, it's pretty good. Easy reading. I wanted to get to know more stuff about soccer officiating, but it's mostly Collina patting himself on the back. There are a few funny tidbits, though.

[Victor de Boer · Rating 1 out of 5]

not a very good book..

[Joe · Rating 1 out of 5]

Dull.... Writing was simple, the information conveyed was uninspired, and the totality of the book delivered almost nothing....

[Kristjan Johannesson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting perspective.