"Didn't want to catch some dirt": famous Italian referee quits Russian Football Union committee after just 2 days

Famous Italian referee Daniele Orsato worked in Russia for only two days. The 48-year-old native of Vicenza, who was one of the top-20 soccer referees in Europe, has left the Expert Refereeing Committee of the Russian Football Union.

On August 13, it was announced that the Italian, who finished his career after Euro 2024, became a member of the Expert Refereeing Committee under the RFU president.

"The decision of Daniele Orsato to leave is made due to the impossibility of combining the specialist's work in the committee and his other activities," the RFU said in a statement.

Orsato himself said in an interview that he would not come to Russia to work for the RFU.

"In light of the current socio-political situation and the ethical principles that have always guided me both on and off the pitch, I have decided not to accept it [the job offer - ed]," Daniele Orsato told La Repubblica.

In the comments, Russian fans mocked such actions of their sports officials.

"Even this one didn't want to catch some dirst", "What's wrong with the RFU's face? Yesterday their press service seemed to deny it", "A retired man was offered a lot of money and he refused. They didn't even realize he might refuse and announced it in advance. The confidence," the users wrote.

The Italian referee is known for his work in Serie A, as well as at Euro 2020 and 2024. At the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, Orsato officiated the semi-final between Argentina and Croatia.

In 2020, Orsato judged PSG and Bayern Munich in the Champions League final. In the same year, the International Federation of Football History and Statistics (IFFHS) recognized him as the best referee of the year

Only verified information at us on Telegram-channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!