Dominic Messina He is the new Technical Director of the AIA, the Italian Referees Association, whose national committee has designated him as a key figure in the organizational renewal process with the aim of ensuring the timely launch of the activities assigned to the new technical figure starting from July 1, 2026.
“"The selection of Domenico Messina was made with a great sense of responsibility, fully aware of the strategic importance the Technical Director will have for the development, coordination, and enhancement of the national refereeing technical heritage," states the official AIA press release. "Messina's profile represents a synthesis of international experience, technical expertise, and in-depth knowledge of the Italian refereeing system, acquired over a career that has seen him play a leading role at the highest levels. With this choice, the National Committee confirms its desire to entrust the association's new technical structure to a figure of absolute prestige, capable of guiding the Italian Referees Association through future challenges, ensuring continuity, expertise, and a vision geared toward the technical growth of the entire refereeing movement." Born on August 12, 1962, in Cava dei Tirreni, in the province of Salerno, Domenico Messina has lived in Bergamo since the age of two.
A CAN referee from 1995 to 2007, with 192 Serie A appearances and two Coppa Italia finals in 1999 and 2006, Domenico Messina was an International Referee from 1998 to 2007 (Top Class from 2001 to 2005). A UEFA observer since 2010, Serie A referee referee from 2014 to 2017, in recent years he has headed the refereeing commissions of the Cypriot and Serbian Federations. He will assume the role on July 1, 2026. He will be responsible for appointing the referees for the various categories, starting naturally with the CAN A and B categories, for which the favorite is Daniele Orsato, current Serie C referee referee referee.
photo credits: AIA
