"After Knocking on the Door, the Ruling Changed": Chief Referee Investigated for Sports Fraud, Italy in Turmoil

Gianluca Rocchi, Chief Referee in charge of assigning referees for Serie A and Serie B in Italian professional football, has temporarily stepped down from his duties after becoming the subject of an investigation on charges of sports fraud.

Gianluca Rocchi, President of the Italian Professional Football Referees Association. Photo by AP, Yonhap News Agency

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On the 26th (local time), AFP reported, "Rocchi, who is responsible for referees in Serie A and Serie B, has decided to step down from his position after the Milan Prosecutor's Office opened an investigation into allegations that he conspired to commit sports fraud during the 2024-2025 season."

Rocchi stated on the same day, "This painful and difficult decision was made to ensure that judicial proceedings can proceed smoothly," adding, "I am confident that I will ultimately be found innocent."

Andrea Gervasoni, the head of Video Assistant Referee (VAR) for Serie A and Serie B, has also stepped down after becoming the subject of an investigation on the same charge.

Rocchi is accused of being involved, along with other suspects, in the process of appointing Andrea Colombo as the main referee for the match between Inter Milan and Bologna in April last year.

Local prosecutors cited evidence that the referee in question was "favorable" to Inter Milan. Bologna won the match 1-0 with a winning goal from Riccardo Orsolini.

Rocchi is also accused of pressuring a VAR official to have referee Fabio Maresca review a handball incident on the pitch monitor during the match between Udinese and Parma in March last year.

At the time, Maresca and VAR official Daniele Paterna concluded that it was not a penalty situation, but the VAR footage reportedly showed Paterna appearing to say "penalty" after listening to someone.

Prosecutors believe Rocchi knocked on the VAR room door and pressured for a change in the ruling; the decision was subsequently overturned, and Florian Thauvin scored the winning goal, ending the match 1-0.

In Italy, sports fraud is a serious crime punishable by up to six years in prison. The relevant materials are expected to be forwarded to the Italian Football Federation, which may also launch a separate disciplinary investigation.

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