Italy's soccer federation has reduced its squad of referees for Serie A and Serie B matches from 43 members to 39.
''Other European federations have already cut back their squads and we also thought it would be best to work with a smaller, more compact team,'' explained Pierluigi Collina, who is responsible for designating referees for the first and second division matches.
''Having an excess number of referees for the Sunday matches was creating problems. No one, in fact, likes to sit on the sidelines. I remember I certainly wasn't happy when I wasn't called up at the weekend,'' recalled Collina, who was voted the world's best ref a record six times before retiring due to age.
''And, besides, I think you work better if you work steady,'' he added.
Looking back at his first year in his new job, Collina said ''I didn't expect it to be easy and I was well aware of the problems I'd have with a team full of young referees, with whom I was very firm''.
''Next season it's going to be even more difficult both in Serie A and Serie B but I'm sure everyone will give it their best, referees and linesmen alike,'' he said.
According to Collina, ''it would be stupid to expect everyone to be perfect, because mistakes can happen. New technologies make it easier to see everything which takes place on the pitch for those watching, but we are just human beings and we cannot compete with these technologies''.
Italy's squad of referees was reduced from 43 to 39 through the dismissal of nine and the promotion of five referees.
Among those asked to hang up their whistles were Gianluca Paparesta, Paolo Bertini and Tiziano Pieri, who were implicated in the Calciopoli match-fixing scandal.
Investigators believe they were were involved in moves coordinated by former Juventus general manager Luciano Moggi to arrange favourable treatment for some teams.
