Italian referee Daniele Orsato bid an emotional farewell to the UEFA Champions League stage as he officiated his final match in the competition during the clash between Paris Saint-Germain and Borussia Dortmund. The game marked a poignant moment for Orsato, who has been a prominent figure in the world of football refereeing for over a decade.
Career Highlights of Daniele Orsato
Orsato embarked on his esteemed journey as a referee in 2010, and from that point forward, he has solidified his reputation as one of the most esteemed officials in the field. Over the course of his time in this role, Orsato has presided over a multitude of prominent matches, such as the inaugural match of the 2022 FIFA World Cup and the esteemed UEFA Champions League final hosted in Lisbon.
1. 2018 FIFA World Cup: On 1 July 2018, Orsato was appointed as a Video Assistant Referee (VAR) for the match between Croatia and Denmark in the 2018 FIFA World Cup.
2. UEFA Champions League – Manchester United vs. PSG (2019): On 12 February 2019, Orsato refereed the round of 16 first-leg match between Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) in the UEFA Champions League. During this game, he issued a total of 10 yellow cards (6 to Manchester United players and 4 to PSG players) and sent off Paul Pogba from Manchester United in the 89th minute
3. UEFA Champions League Final (2020): Orsato had the honor of officiating the final of the UEFA Champions League in 2020, which featured Paris Saint-Germain against Bayern Munich.
4. UEFA Champions League Semi-Final – Chelsea vs. Real Madrid (2021): He also took charge of the second leg of the UEFA Champions League semi-final match between Chelsea and Real Madrid in 2021.
5. IFFHS Best Referee Award (2020): In recognition of his outstanding performance, Orsato was awarded the title of the best referee by the International Federation of Football History & Statistics (IFFHS) for the year 2020.
6. 2022 FIFA World Cup: On 20 November 2022, Orsato was selected as the referee for the opening match of the 2022 FIFA World Cup held in Qatar, officiating the game between hosts Qatar and Ecuador.
7. Controversial World Cup Semi-Final – Argentina vs. Croatia (2022): In a significant event on 13 December 2022, Orsato refereed the World Cup semi-final clash between Argentina and Croatia. His performance during this match drew criticism from Ballon d’Or winner and Croatia captain Luka Modrić, who labeled him as “one of the worst” referees and described his display as “a disaster.”
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Legacy and Retirement Plans
Orsato’s impending retirement following Euro 2024 signifies the conclusion of a remarkable career in football officiating. His dedication to professionalism, integrity, and upholding fair play has garnered respect and admiration from all corners of the football world. Although his departure marks the end of a chapter in Orsato’s life, his impact on the sport will endure for generations.
In conclusion, Daniele Orsato’s emotional farewell during the PSG vs. Dortmund match symbolizes the end of a remarkable chapter in his career as a top-tier referee. His journey from humble beginnings to officiating some of football’s most iconic moments serves as an inspiration to aspiring referees worldwide.
