Diary of a referee: ‘Collina observed our half-naked bodies with an ice-cold gaze’

In a revealing excerpt from his new book, international referee Jonas Eriksson shares his experiences of being weighed and assessed by top officials, including the renowned Pierluigi Collina. Eriksson's journey from being an unfit referee to shedding nearly 10kg highlights the rigorous standards and expectations placed on referees in professional sports. This insight not only sheds light on the physical demands of officiating but also emphasizes the importance of fitness in maintaining the integrity of the game.