Italy Referee Chief Suspends Himself over Sports Fraud Investigation
Investigators are examining whether Gianluca Rocchi influenced VAR reviews and referee assignments, with one match under scrutiny ending in a 1-0 Udinese win.
- Gianluca Rocchi, the Serie A and Serie B referee designator, is under investigation for "participation in sports fraud" on suspicion of having influenced Video Assistant Referee decisions.
- Milan Prosecutor Maurizio Ascione is leading the inquiry into 2024-25 season incidents, including allegations that Rocchi pressured officials to recommend reviews and assigned "preferred" referees to clubs like Inter.
- During the March 1, 2025, match between Udinese and Parma, investigators suspect Rocchi knocked on the Lissone VAR glass door, allegedly urging officials to award a penalty securing a 1–0 victory.
- Responding to the investigation on Saturday, Rocchi stated, "This morning I received a notice of investigation. I am sure I have always acted correctly and I have full confidence in the judiciary."
- Italian Sport Minister Andrea Abodi confirmed the investigation originated from a complaint by former referee assistant Domenico Rocca, echoing historical scandals like the 2006 Calciopoli crisis involving Juventus.
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103 Articles
The new scandal that has hit the refereeing in Serie A seems to be remaining within the world of referees themselves. Reports from Italy indicate that no player or club director appears in the investigations of the Milan Prosecutor's Office, while all the people involved so far are linked to the refereeing and VAR sector. According to Italian media, including "La Gazzetta dello Sport", new names have also been added to the register of suspects, …
The Milan Public Prosecutor's Office is investigating the referee coordinator as well as the supervisor of the video reports. They are said to have favoured teams and influenced decisions of the VAR in an illegal way.
In the alleged fraud scandal surrounding Italian referee coordinator Gianluca Rocchi, Italy's budding football champion has now also spoken out. Inter Milan's leader denied rumors that Rocchi had favored one at Matches. "We don't have any referees we like or don't like," said Inter-President Giuseppe Marotta to Sky before the 2:2 of Inter at FC Torino. In any case, the club has always "acted with the greatest integrity." According to the accusat…
Referee Scandal Rocks Italian Football Amidst Investigation | Sports-Games
Gianluca Rocchi, chief referee assigner for Serie A and B, has suspended himself amidst a sports fraud investigation by Milan's Public Prosecutor's Office. VAR supervisor Andrea Gervasoni has also stepped back. The investigation focuses on last season's incidents, with allegations of favoritism toward Inter Milan's referee assignments.
Rome, Italy.- Italian football is in crisis in and out of the field, with another arbitration scandal arising after the repeated failure of the male team to qualify for the World Cup. Gianluca Rocchi, chief referee in Series A and Series B, is under criminal investigation for alleged sports fraud and will appear in court in Milan on Thursday. VAR supervisor Andrea Gervasoni is also under investigation. Rocchi, who is accused of influencing VAR d…
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