Referee Abroad’s ‘Refereeing Beyond Borders’ program has won support from the European Union’s Erasmus+ programme, with numerous national football associations backing it.
No more so than Italy, where AIA launched the Erasmus Arbitrale programme: it isn’t just about improving on-field refereeing skills — it’s about building international connections, developing cultural intelligence, and creating memories that last a lifetime. This is the tale from Italy, as first published on AIA’s official website (in Italian).
For Alex Battiston, a young referee from the Pordenone Section (born 2003, currently officiating in Promozione, one of the top regional categories), this experience sparked something much bigger than league assignments.
After representing Italy at the IberCup in Estoril, Portugal — a major international youth tournament featuring referees and teams from dozens of countries — Alex didn’t want the experience to simply end with the final whistle.
Instead, he turned it into a personal journey of reconnection and exploration.
A Whistle That Led Across Italy
Following the tournament, Alex set off on an unforgettable solo trip across Italy to reconnect with the referees he’d met in Portugal — surprising friends in cities up and down the country, from the North to the South.
Traveling by regional train, he transformed what could have been a typical holiday into an inspiring celebration of global refereeing fellowship.
Whether it was heartfelt greetings at train stations or spontaneous reunions in cafes, Alex’s journey became a testament to the human side of officiating: bonds that go beyond the pitch.
Growth, Friendship, and What Comes Next
For Alex, Erasmus Arbitrale was more than a technical opportunity — it was one of the most meaningful experiences of his life, both as a referee and as a person.
When asked whether he would recommend Erasmus Arbitrale to other referees, his answer was simple:
“Absolutely. It doesn’t just make you a better referee — it makes you a more open, confident, and connected human being.”
His hope? That this journey is only the beginning of many more shared experiences where referees grow together — on and off the field.