At the Media Day of the Euro 2024 referees, Daniele Orsato announced his retirement in the interview with Lorenzo Fontani: “I will end my career as a referee after Euro. I thank all the instructors and assigners who have taught me so much in these years”. The role of referee assigner, however, does not seem to be in his plans: "I want to dedicate myself only to my family and my children. I hope that my last whistle will be that of the Euro final, but it's okay if Italy wins".
- Being here is a gratification, perhaps even more exciting...
- For me it’s always an emotion and a pride to represent Italian referees; it’s a huge responsibility. We are more of a family than a team, so it was exciting.
- Can we say that your career will end after Euro?
- Yes, it will end a beautiful experience, and I am proud of it, both for me and my family.
- Who would you want to thank?
- All the refereeing technicians who have accompanied my growth, from Claudio Pieri to Maurizio Mattei to Stefano Farina, as well as Collina, Rosetti, Braschi, Rizzoli and Rocchi. All of them were examples that I admired and tried to learn from. The most formative experience for me was the one as additional assistant referee (AAR) with Rizzoli at the 2016 European Championship, where I understood the things and the details that are needed on the field in the important games to be accepted. It was an incredible experience.
- Have you thought about what you are going to do after the last whistle?
- I think I will blow the whistle with the usual grit that has always distinguished me. I will do it all, I am really proud of what I have done, and I will give my best until the end.”
- We do not wish anything bad to Spalletti's Italy, but how nice it would be if the last whistle was that of the final?
- Of course, we all hope Italy will win. I would be proud and happy if the last Euro whistle would be mine, but if Italy wins, it’s okay.
- Did you set yourself a target for Euro 2024?
- I have never set myself long-term goals; I always think only about the last game. When we are in the locker room with my team, we never know whether we just refereed the last game of the competition or if we will have another one. Let’s think step-by-step to do the best.
- Here with you is also Marco Guida. What advice would you give him?
- I just congratulated Marco, because he followed a complicated path. He had a serious injury that put him out for a long time, but he worked hard, he is a serious referee, and this Euro will represent the beginning of a long career in UEFA for him.
- The Italian referees say that often abroad they relax, forgetting the pressure of Serie A. Is it the same for you?
- I wouldn’t say you relax, but you don’t get the same dissent from players and you have fewer problems on the field; in Europe they know you less and you lose less time. In Italy, you know more players and dialogues are longer, the protests are more significant. If you make a mistake in Europe, you feel sorry the same way as in Serie A.
- Is there a role of referee assigner for you in the future?
- No, there is only my family, my wife, and my kids. I don’t see anything else beyond them.
Source: SkySport