Daniele Orsato was honoured after Atalanta–Fiorentina on Sunday, his last appearance in Italy’s top flight.
The experienced Italian referee will retire after the Euros this summer. He took charge of his final Serie A match on Sunday when Fiorentina won 3-2 over Atalanta in Bergamo.
After the game, the 48-year-old was given a guard of honour by Atalanta and Fiorentina players and received shirts from both teams, which he proudly held with his son on the pitch.
Tributes for referee Orsato after final Serie A appearance
After the final whistle, Fiorentina director Daniele Pradé and Atalanta coach Gian Piero Gasperini congratulated the Italian referee.
“It was deserved,” said Gasp.
“I don’t know if the rule of making referee retire due to their age is correct. Other criteria should be considered, but he [Orsato] must be congratulated, and I am sure he will make his experience available to young referees. He still has a lot to give.”
Pradé agreed with Gasp.
“One of the best referees in history quits football today,” the Tuscans’ director told DAZN.
“I hope he remains inside the system. He was not a friendly referee, but he was authoritative and authoritarian. Most importantly, when we knew he had been appointed, we were sure we had the best on the pitch.”
Orsato struggled to hold back tears in May after his last Champions League appearance, a second-leg semifinal between PSG and Borussia Dortmund.