Italian official Pierluigi Collina has refused to rule out coming to referee in the Premiership in the 2005-6 season after he has passed the retirement age of 45 for Italy's Serie A.
Collina would not comment directly on recent suggestions by FA vice-president David Dein that the Premiership would appoint the Italian for high-profile fixtures in the season after next but kept his options open.
"It is too far away for me to think about that," said Collina when asked if he would fancy a Premiership switch.
"I have a year to think about what I am going to do and at the moment it is not the time for decisions because I am very busy," he added.
Collina, the first referee to become a world superstar in his own right, is widely admired for his man-management skills and the sound judgement which he has constantly exhibited in some of the most high-profile matches in the world.
He officiated at the 2002 World Cup final between Brazil and Germany, the 1996 Olympic final between Nigeria and Argentina, the epic 1999 Champions League final between Manchester United and Bayern Munich and the opening game of Euro 2004 between Portugal and Greece.
Many expected Collina to get the Euro 2004 final which would have given him a career clean sweep - he has handled a World Cup final, an Olympic final, a Champions League final and a UEFA Cup final.
Filed by Barry McEneaney
