Italian football continues to face a series of administrative and competitive challenges, with developments now extending beyond on-field performance to governance issues. Amid ongoing scrutiny of the national team and club competitions, the head of referees for Serie A and Serie B, Gianluca Rocchi, has stepped aside from his role following the launch of a judicial investigation.
Recent criticism of Italian football has largely centred on sporting outcomes. The national team’s failure to qualify for the FIFA World Cup for a third consecutive time led to the departure of senior leadership, including the federation president and head coach. At club level, concerns have also been raised after no Italian side progressed to the quarter-finals of this season’s UEFA Champions League. However, Rocchi’s decision is unrelated to these results and instead stems from legal proceedings initiated in Milan.
Prosecutors in Milan have opened an investigation into allegations of “sporting fraud”, a criminal offence under Italian law. In response, Rocchi confirmed on Saturday that he would temporarily relinquish his responsibilities for appointing referees in Italy’s top two leagues. In his statement, he said, “This painful and difficult decision is intended to allow the judicial process to proceed without obstruction. I am confident that I will be proven innocent at the conclusion of this process.”
The investigation also involves Andrea Gervasoni, the head of the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system in Italy, who faces similar allegations.
Two specific incidents form the basis of the case against Rocchi. The first relates to a Serie A fixture between Inter Milan and Bologna in April of the previous year. Prosecutors allege that Rocchi, in coordination with unidentified individuals, influenced the appointment of referee Andrea Colombo for that match, reportedly because he was considered favourable to Inter. Despite this claim, Bologna won the match 1–0, with Riccardo Orsolini scoring a late goal.
The second allegation concerns a match played in March between Udinese and Parma, which Udinese won 1–0. According to investigators, Rocchi attempted to influence a decision involving a potential handball. The on-field referee, Fabio Maresca, and VAR official Daniele Paterna initially did not consider the incident worthy of a penalty. However, VAR footage reportedly shows Paterna changing his assessment after speaking to someone off-camera, subsequently stating, “It’s a penalty.”
Prosecutors further allege that Rocchi knocked forcefully on the VAR room door and exerted pressure on Paterna to prompt a review of the decision. The penalty awarded from that review led to the decisive goal, scored by Florian Thauvin.
The key elements of the investigation are summarised below:
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Individual | Gianluca Rocchi |
| Position | Head of Referees, Serie A and Serie B |
| Allegation | Sporting fraud |
| Match 1 | Inter Milan vs Bologna (April) |
| Issue | Alleged influence on referee appointment |
| Match 2 | Udinese vs Parma (March) |
| Issue | Alleged influence on VAR decision |
| Other individual | Andrea Gervasoni (VAR chief) |
| Potential penalty | Up to six years’ imprisonment |
In Italy, sporting fraud is treated as a criminal offence carrying a maximum penalty of six years in prison. Documentation related to the investigation will also be forwarded to the Italian Football Federation. Its own prosecutorial body may initiate separate disciplinary proceedings based on the findings of the criminal inquiry.
The outcome of both the judicial and potential sporting investigations will determine any further action regarding individuals involved in Italy’s refereeing structure.