Italian expert Nicola Rizzoli has been appointed as a member of the technical advisory group of the International Football Association Board (IFAB). This is reported on the official website of the Italian Referees' Association.

Thus, a former FIFA referee who was the main judge in the finals of the 2014 World Cup and the 2013 Champions League will work in an international collective body that regulates and determines changes to football rules.

In recent days, Rizzoli, who can boast of 235 matches played in Serie A during his refereeing career, has already participated in the 11th meeting of IFAB's technical and football advisory groups.

It is worth noting that the Italian took up the position of chief expert on refereeing for the Ukrainian Football Association in November 2021, at the invitation of UAF President and UEFA Executive Committee member Andriy Pavelko and head of the Referees' Committee Luciano Luca.

Nicola Rizzoli

Born on October 5, 1971, in Mirandola (Italy).

Professionally — architect.

Twice recognized as the best referee in the world by IFFHS (2014, 2015).

Seven times recognized as the best referee in Serie A (2011—2017).

Worked as a main referee at matches of the final stages of Euro-2012 and Euro-2016.

Best referee of the final stage of Euro-2016 according to UEFA.

Main referee in the 2014 World Cup final (Germany—Argentina).

Best referee of the final stage of the 2014 World Cup according to FIFA.

Main referee in the 2013 Champions League final between Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich (Germany).

Ended his refereeing career in 2017.

From 2017 to 2021, he headed the Referees' Committee of Serie A.