Italian referee Daniele Orsato rejects Russian advisory position under public pressure

Daniele Orsato, the recently retired Italian referee, has built an extraordinary career, officiating numerous high-profile and decisive matches. Many expected that, after retiring as an active referee, Orsato would take on a significant role within the Italian refereeing organization or continue his refereeing mission under the auspices of UEFA or FIFA.

However, Orsato surprised many when he accepted an offer from the Russian Football Federation, which had engaged him as a 'special advisor.' In this role, he would have been part of a refereeing team that includes well-known international referees like Cuneyt Cakir and Nestor Pitana.

Orsato was reportedly persuaded by the head of the Russian refereeing organization, Milorad Mažić, but the news immediately drew widespread criticism. As a result, Orsato reconsidered and ultimately decided to reject the offer from Russia.

Orsato could have performed his duties remotely, providing guidance to help educate young referees in Russia. However, he ultimately concluded that collaborating with Russian football institutions would significantly damage his reputation.