Retired Italian referee Pierlugi Collina has stepped down from his role as the Chief Refereeing Officer for European football’s governing body, UEFA.

The 58-year-old resigned due to personal reasons and UEFA have wasted no time in naming compatriot Roberto Rossetti as his replacement.

Rossetti, 50, was an international referee from 2002 through to 2010 when he retired and his highlight proved to be him handling the 2008 European Championship final as Spain beat Germany 1-0 to win the tournament.

Pierlugi Collina became the UEFA’s first Chief Refereeing Officer in 2010, five years after he retired as a referee and he has overseen several improvements in the professional handling of referees.

These includes development programmes to boost technical, fitness and nutrition standards and ensuring that tactical elements and knowledge of teams are a part of the referee’s match preparation.

Speaking about his exit, Collina said: “It has been a privilege to work as UEFA’s Chief Refereeing Officer during the last eight years.

“I am very proud of the results achieved together with my fellow Refereeing Officers and the UEFA Referees’ Committee.

“I wish to thank UEFA for the strong support given to refereeing in these years and also all the match officials for their full commitment.” He stated further.

UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin added: “Pierluigi brought the same vision, understanding and flair to his role at UEFA that he demonstrated in the matches he refereed.

“I wish to thank him for his commitment during these years and for what he has brought to European football as Chief Refereeing Officer.” He concluded.