Former international Swedish referee Jonas Eriksson has recently unveiled a series of previously untold incidents concerning the methods employed by Pierluigi Collina. These revelations come from Eriksson`s candid book, House of Cards, an excerpt of which was notably published by The Guardian. The controversial events date back to Collina`s influential tenure as head of the UEFA Referees Committee and a FIFA official.
“We were all lined up, dressed only in our underwear. The best referees in Europe, paragons of integrity and professionalism… yet no one dared to utter a single word,” Eriksson vividly recalls. “Collina observed us from above with an icy, silent gaze. It was deeply unsettling and frankly, intimidating.”
According to Eriksson`s detailed account, during the annual UEFA courses, referees were subjected to meticulous and deeply personal physical examinations. “We would step onto the scales one by one. I would hold my breath, desperately hoping to weigh less. The instructor would then announce loudly: `Eriksson, Sweden, 96.2 kilos.` Immediately after, I could feel Collina`s eyes scanning my nearly naked body. I felt utterly humiliated: an adult being forced to endure such invasive judgment.”
Following the weight checks, various other body parameters were measured to calculate each referee`s body fat percentage, which was also announced publicly before the entire group. “My reading was 18.7%. Everyone heard it,” writes the former referee, who boasts an impressive career officiating 142 international matches, including World Cups, European Championships, and Champions League fixtures.
Eriksson pinpoints the autumn of 2010 as the first time he experienced this treatment and admits he lacked the courage to object. “We understood implicitly that any criticism of Collina would spell the swift end of our international careers. Had I spoken up, I would never have refereed another international match.”
