Rocchi under investigation, Inter named in latest Italian refereeing scandal | OneFootball

Gianluca Rocchi, the official who appoints referees for Italy’s domestic competitions, is under investigation in Milan over alleged VAR hub interference and claims of favourable appointments involving Inter.

According to L'Équipe, the probe followed a May letter from assistant referee Domenico Rocca, who disputed low marks and alleged Rocchi knocked on the central VAR room in Lissone during Udinese v Parma. The FIGC shelved it, but AGI said Milan prosecutors opened a case.

VAR official Daniele Paterna, Rocchi and VAR supervisor Andrea Gervasoni have been placed under investigation on suspicion of sporting fraud, with Rocchi due to appear on Thursday. Prosecutors allege they broke Lissone’s isolation by alerting VARs during Salernitana v Modena on 8 March 2025 and Udinese v Parma, and both have suspended themselves.

Rocchi is also accused of steering appointments favourable to Inter for two matches in spring 2025. After the Coppa Italia semi-final first leg, 1-1 at San Siro, he is alleged to have named Daniele Doveri for the 23 April return and set the crew for the Bologna trip three days earlier, lost 1-0.

Inter president Giuseppe Marotta said: "We are learning everything from the press," speaking to Sky. "We have nothing to do with this." Lega Serie A president Ezio Simonelli urged caution, and with AIA chief Antonio Zappi banned and FIGC president Gabriele Gravina resigned, sports minister Andrea Abodi has argued for placing the FIGC under administration.

Source: L'Équipe