Collina praises referee displays at Euro 2016
UEFA's chief refereeing officer Pierluigi Collina believes the newly-implemented pre-match analysis has helped produce a higher level of officiating at Euro 2016.
There have been few major refereeing controversies during the 36 group matches in France, while the average number of yellow cards has dropped from 4.04 per match four years ago to 3.58 this time around.
The accuracy of decisions has remained consistent and Collina has been pleased with the refereeing on display, which he believes is down in no small part to the introduction of recently-introduced pre-match analysis.
It was still a novel practice when the Italian did it at the 2002 World Cup final, but has become more widespread since then and led UEFA's refereeing chief to formalise it for Euro 2016.
"We are always trying to improve the standard of their performances and we thought that this is possible if the referee knows more about the match they are going to referee," Collina said.
"I am convinced that if you are one step ahead, if you know before what can happen, you are ready.
"If you are ready, it is very possible you are correct. If you don't know what is going to happen and if you are surprised by something, it is very probable that you will be wrong.
"We cannot accept an excuse from a referee like 'sorry, I was wrong because I didn't expect what was going to happen'. They must know before what is going to happen."
UEFA is doing that at Euro 2016 by briefing referees about the teams during before the match.
A pair of coaches analyse the countries' recent games and officials have an hour with one of them, when they are briefed about how the teams will play the match.
Tactics and characteristics of individuals are highlighted, with officials given a presentation showing shapes of play, analysis of set pieces, statistics and video clips.
Collina says there is no particular focus on simulation in those packs, but individuals are highlighted so that referees can be "more careful" in matches.
The Italian has been impressed by its impact so far at Euro 2016 and is considering taking it into other UEFA competitions.
"We thought if we have two specialists, two people who do it regularly, probably it's easier for them, particularly in their competition when you can play regularly," he added.
"It's working very well so we are thinking of course to continue... to implement them in other competitions."