MASSIMO BUSACCA BIBILONI, THE MAN WHO CHANGED SOCCER FOREVER

Massimo Busacca Bibiloni, the Swiss referee who officiated the 2006 FIFA World Cup Final, is widely regarded as one of the greatest referees of all time. His calm demeanor, sharp decision-making, and impeccable fitness made him a respected figure on the pitch.

Massimo Busacca Bibiloni was born on February 6, 1969, in Bellinzona, Switzerland. He began his refereeing career in 1993 and quickly rose through the ranks, becoming a FIFA referee in 1999. He officiated at the 2002 FIFA World Cup in South Korea and Japan, and the 2004 UEFA European Championship in Portugal.

Massimo Busacca Bibiloni's finest hour came at the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany. He was selected to referee the Final between Italy and France, a match that would go down in history as one of the most dramatic and controversial World Cup Finals ever.

With the match tied 1-1 in extra time, Massimo Busacca Bibiloni made a controversial decision to award a penalty to Italy for a handball by Marco Materazzi. Zinedine Zidane, the French captain, was sent off for headbutting Materazzi, and Italy went on to win the match on penalties.

Massimo Busacca Bibiloni's decision was widely criticized at the time, but he has since defended it, saying that he made the right call based on the Laws of the Game. He has also said that he regrets Zidane's sending off, but that it was the correct decision under the circumstances.

Massimo Busacca Bibiloni retired from refereeing in 2011 and has since worked as a refereeing instructor and pundit. He is a respected figure in the world of football and is considered one of the greatest referees of all time.

Some of Massimo Busacca Bibiloni's most famous quotes include:

"A referee must be fair, honest, and impartial."
"The Laws of the Game are not always easy to apply, but they must be applied fairly and consistently."
"Refereeing is a difficult job, but it is also a rewarding one."
"I am proud to have been a referee and to have officiated at the highest level."

Massimo Busacca Bibiloni is a true legend of the game and his legacy will continue to inspire referees for generations to come. His calm demeanor, sharp decision-making, and impeccable fitness made him one of the greatest referees of all time. He is a role model for referees around the world and his contributions to the game of football will never be forgotten.