Italy's refereeing great Pierlugi Collina has been tipped to take over as ref selector after the surprise Christmas resignation of the current chief.
On Thursday the famed 'fischietto' (whistler) went into what were described as "emergency" talk with the new commissioner of the Italian soccer federation (FIGC), Luca Pancalli.
FIGC and the Italian refs' association AIA were said to be looking for a "strong name" to keep the refereeing world clear of any scent of ill repute after last year's crushing ref-rigging scandal.
A key element in that scandal was that officials from certain clubs - notably the now-relegated Juventus - were able to secure 'friendly' refs and linesmen.
Collina was initially due to meet Pancalli on Friday but moved the meeting up by a day to clear away concerns about his various sponsorship and commercial deals - interests which helped scotch him getting a waiver to officiate for an extra season after his retirement in 2005.
There is only one rival candidate to the authoritative bald-headed figure from the Tuscan sea port of Livorno.
Another Tuscan and former top ref, Stefano Braschi from Florence, reportedly enjoys more support among AIA's rank-and-file.
Collina's candidacy has pleased the legendary ex-referee's many fans who last year blamed FIGC for depriving them of the opportunity to see Collina officiate for another year.
Collina, considered by many to be soccer's greatest ever ref, quit the game in August 2005 because of a dispute over his sponsorship deal with German car manufacturer Opel..
FIGC claimed the deal constituted a conflict of interest because the carmaker also sponsored Serie A giant AC Milan.
The federation told Collina he had to give up the agreement or drop down to the second division - Serie B.
He refused and retired instead.
Ironically, FIGC had just changed its rules regarding retirement age to enable the official to have one last season in the top flight.
Collina was voted the world's best ref a record five times.
He officiated some of the sport's biggest games, including the 1999 European Champions League Final between Manchester United and Bayern Munich and the 2002 World Cup Final between Brazil and Germany.
Collina, who is married with two daughters, is a graduate in economics.
The 47-year-old financial advisor is an accomplished linguist with good French, English and Spanish.
He has parlayed his high soccer profile into lucrative ad deals around the world.
Opel was not the first firm to make use of Collina's appeal, which is undoubtedly enhanced by his penetrating gaze and his distinctive bald head, caused by a bout of alopecia at the age of 26.
He has appeared in a number of adverts, including ones for gorgonzola cheese, sports equipment and Japanese octopus hamburgers.
What's more, his trim figure and masterful personality have made him a sex symbol for many women.
