Home » Barbieri, the referee most loved by the people of Belluno. “I’m 70, but don’t tell the designator”

Barbieri, the referee most loved by the people of Belluno. “I’m 70, but don’t tell the designator”

by admin

Maybe he won’t be the football referee who, more than others, could have aspired to reach the highest levels of professionalism.

But he is without a doubt the one who, most of all, has been able to earn the affection of the players from Belluno. Sicilian blood, Catania as a favorite team, sport intended as fun and the joy of sharing time together. Together with the players, the coaches, the fans.

Angelo Barbieri is a referee out of the ordinary, who would prefer not to reveal that he is preparing to blow out seventy candles.

«Otherwise they tell me that I can no longer arbitrate. But I said it: for another thirty or forty years you have to put up with me ».

Born in 1951, he moved to the province of Belluno for work reasons and since then he has never left the Dolomites, except to occasionally return to his Catania.

«I was a railway worker. My professional activity took me to Belluno. I was hired in Longarone in 1979 and since then I have always lived up here, even if I have also worked outside the province, for example in Treviso and Mestre ».

When did the passion for football date back?

«In my childhood, in Catania, I played football. I was an excellent right back… When I came here to Belluno at the age of 27, however, I did not have the opportunity to play continuously, precisely because my work did not allow me to train regularly. Therefore, the only way to continue to cultivate my great passion, that for the ball, was to do it by refereeing. Also because in this way I could train on my own, in the hours left free from work, and I had no other commitments than those of the weekend, on Saturdays and Sundays ».

See also  Aurélien Sanchez, first Frenchman to win and finish the mythical Barkley

So Barbieri began to referee …

“I started late though. At The Hague there was a rule according to which, if you started within a certain age, probably 20 or 25 years, then you had the opportunity to make a career by reaching the most important categories. Otherwise, you were cut off from this possibility of progression. I started around the age of thirty-one, therefore I have always arbitrated at the provincial level, especially in the third category and in the youth teams ».

From the FIGC to the CSI, the adopted whistle from Belluno has refereed practically every kind of match …

«I reached my peak as a linesman in an Italian Cup of Excellence match. And then I had the honor of refereeing some luxury friendly matches, like between Calalzo and Juve Stabia. I also directed Conegliano, when he was in training camp in Auronzo, and I worked as a linesman at Spal ».

What happened after the transition to CSI?

«After 24 years in the FIGC: there is a rule for which at 45 you have to stop. Or you can become a field commissioner: I also attended the course to become one, but it was not a role that interested me, so some friends involved me in the CSI ».

How many matches have you refereed?

“Counting all kinds of games, including officials, friendlies and tournaments, I would say just under a thousand.”

What drives you to continue to referee, year after year, whether it’s a league match or a summer tournament?

«Surely the passion for this sport, the most beautiful in the world. When I see the boys come onto the pitch, when I see them cheering me on, in the good sense of the word, when a good relationship is established and maybe you talk to them before and after the game, then you feel rewarded. I exchange a lot of jokes with the players, even during the match ».

See also  Traoré case, apologies from comrades and Benetton's commitment against racism

A few examples?

«Before entering the field I often tell the players of the two teams that I am particularly good because I see ten out of ten offsides. Sometimes someone replies to me: as long as we don’t start from the eleventh … In the larger fields, like that of Vallesella or Feltre, on the other hand, I happened to say to the players: you go and come back, that I am waiting for you in midfield. There are referees who do not share this way of handling situations, of talking and joking with the players. And they have all their good reasons for thinking differently from me. But I like it that way and I think that at times it helps to soften the tense atmosphere a bit ».

The referee can also help create a more relaxed atmosphere

“Of course. Often when I go to referee they tell me: Barbieri is there, today there are no penalties. Or, today it ends in a draw. My players, because I consider them all my players, as well as I am their referee, know that I manage in good faith and that I am neither Cadorino, nor Feltre, nor Belluno ».

What is the difference between refereeing a game for children and one for adults?

«The kids already know if they have made a foul, even before the referee whistles. Many times, you could referee them while sitting. They are splendid because if they have committed a foul they know it immediately and leave. Without protesting ».

The big ones, instead?

“They often make films. I always tell them that as you play in eleven, so you referee in one. There is no need for twenty-two referees ».

See also  Mancaron: The company's development and sales of Asian Games products will continue – yqqlm

Has any player ever played tricks on you?

«Once, at roll call, a player pasted the photo of Ciccio Graziani over the passport photo of his identity card. When I had to make the roll, I played along and called: Graziani. He answers me: Ciccio! We laughed and went ahead with the roll call. ‘NICOLA PASUCH

.

You may also like

Leave a Comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Accept Read More

Privacy & Cookies Policy