Domenico Messina: First Foreigner Leading Serbian Referees’ Committee — Revolution or Chaos?
Welcome to a new era in Serbian football, where Domenico Messina, an Italian referee with top-level experience in Italy and Europe, has become the first foreigner to head the Serbian Referees’ Committee! Yes, you read that right. But is this a revolution or just another chaos in Serbian football?
Who is Domenico Messina and why is he here?
Messina is no ordinary man. He is a referee known for his integrity and professionalism. His career includes officiating matches for national teams, including Serbia’s 1-0 win over Belgium in 2007. The Italian refereeing school is legendary, and Messina is part of that tradition.
Why him? The enthusiasm and desire for change from the Serbian Football Association’s leadership, especially General Secretary Branko Radujko, were decisive. Messina immediately stated he wants to bring Serbian refereeing closer to European standards, focusing on integrity, independence, and professionalism.
What does Messina plan to change?
First and foremost, he wants referees to call the game by the rules — no calculations, no influence from clubs, media, or fans. “When they step on the pitch, they think only about refereeing,” he says. The goal is to make the game faster, more dynamic, and attractive, not to whistle fouls on every contact.
He also plans to introduce public analyses of controversial situations with video explanations, a practice common in some European associations. Transparency is key to restoring trust between referees, clubs, and fans.
Protecting referees and fighting pressure
Referees in Serbia are often under huge pressure, and Messina promises to protect and motivate them. “A referee must know football, players, tactics, and be a professional,” he says. He will not tolerate those who think their career depends on anything other than good decisions on the pitch.
The independence of the refereeing committee is sacred to him. “An independent committee guarantees that all clubs will be treated equally, and the best team will win the title,” Messina says. He demands respect from both sides — referees and clubs.
Is it possible?
Of course, Messina admits change won’t happen overnight. It takes time and hard work. Italy is currently going through a generational change in referees, and he believes Serbia has the base and tradition to produce new top referees like Milorad Mažić or Srđan Jovanović.
Messina is honest about pressures and mistakes. “Every mistake bothers me, whether it harms a big or small club,” he says. Refereeing is psychologically demanding, and he believes character plays a key role in how referees handle pressure.
VAR and the future of refereeing
Video technology has revolutionized the game, but Messina warns perfection is impossible. Referees are human and have the right to make mistakes, but the goal is to minimize errors.
Professionalism above all
Messina grew up passionate about football but is now a professional who knows his career depends on good decisions on the pitch. He had the chance to referee some of the greatest players, like Dejan Stanković and Siniša Mihajlović, with whom he had a respectful relationship.
What to expect?
Will Messina succeed in changing the refereeing scene in Serbia? Will Serbian football finally get refereeing at a European level? Or will everything collapse under pressure, corruption, and fan madness? One thing is certain — Messina’s arrival is a big story to watch.
If you have your own opinion on whether Messina is a savior for Serbian football or just another foreigner who will get lost in the chaos, drop a comment below. Maybe your critique or support will make a difference!
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