Italy?s best young whistleblowers in Australia

A delegation of nine ? including the four young referees Roberto Mattei, Leonardo Biccheri, Raffaele Agro? and Diego Di Biagio ? arrived in Australia and officiated at the recent clash between Marconi Stallions and Sydney Tigers at Marconi Stadium.
The Italian referees from the region of Umbria were in Australia as part of the referee development and exchange program organised by the Australian Italian Referee Exchange Association (AIFREA), in conjunction with Football NSW and the NSW State League Football Referees.
Club Marconi President, Mr Tony Campolongo, exchanged gifts and souvenirs with the Italian delegation headed by Mr Luigi Repace, President of the National Regional Amateur League, Italian Referees Association Representative (AIA) and Federal Consigliere to FIGC in Rome.
Mr Campolongo outlined the long and proud tradition of Club Marconi in hosting special guests from Italy while Mr Repace expressed his gratitude to the Australian hosts.
AIFREA President, Mr Robert Colombo, also welcomed the delegation to Australia and thanked everyone for their support of the tour while Marconi Stallions Football Chairman, Mr Vince Foti, expressed his delight in hosting everyone after the game at Club Marconi after such an exciting game against the Sydney Tigers.
Roberto Mattei, 23 years old and considered to be a rising star of the Italian refereeing ranks, was the lucky one with the whistle in his hand on the night.
?It?s a very athletic type of football here in Australia and they, the players, seem very fit? he stated.
?You need to be very fit as a referee to participate in this competition [TeleChoice Premier League].
?It?s a very similar standard of play to what I am use to in Italy and, besides a few players in Italy who make it to the higher divisions, the players are of a similar standard.
Mattei, who referees in the Eccellenza division which is Italy?s highest non-professional division of football, also combines his work as a referee with his study.
?I study on a fulltime basis at university as well, but football is definitely my passion.

-By Joe Russo