Collina to ref England / Argentina match

Pierluigi Collina, the highest-profile referee in the world, will take charge of the England v Argentina World Cup match.

FIFA have turned to the Italian official, famous for his bald head and bulging-eye stare, for a fixture which has seen a number of flashpoints down the years.

From Antonio Rattin’s controversial sending-off at the 1966 World Cup, through Diego Maradona’s ‘Hand of God’ goal to David Beckham’s dismissal at France 98, the games have never been short of controversy.

If either team can read any omens into the appointment, then England should be happiest.

Collina took charge of England’s 5-1 win over Germany in qualifying and also oversaw the Euro 2000 clash which saw England beat Erich Ribbeck’s men 1-0.

The man who sent Beckham off for lashing out at Diego Simeone in France Kim Milton Nielsen has also been handed a big game in the group stages.

The Dane will oversee the key Group E match between Germany and the Republic of Ireland.

Nielsen famously red-carded the Manchester United midfielder for kicking Simeone after the Lazio man had brought him down in the second round game which Argentina won on penalties.

Ali Bujsaim of the United Arab Emirates is another referee with a tough assignment, the opening game between World Cup holders France and former French colony Senegal.