Serie A Referee-Designator Rubbishes Inter Milan “Bracelet” Insinuations: ‘All A Made-Up Story’ | OneFootball

Serie A referee-designator Gianluca Rocchi has thoroughly rubbished some rumours of a bias towards Inter Milan as “all a made-up story.”

The official dismissed the insinuations that he had shown some affinity for the Nerazzurri with a bracelet featuring Inter colours that he’d recently worn at a match speaking on Radio Deejay, via FCInterNews.

Refereeing controversy is never too far away in Serie A. From favouritism to referees having sympathies, there are always insinuations.

Any time there is a contentious refereeing decision, it inevitably sets off a firestorm.

That was certainly the case last season. A few controversial decisions in Inter matches – most prominently, in the late drama in the Nerazzurri’s late win against Hellas Verona in January – really provoked some conspiracy theories.

All the suspicions and rumours came to nothing in the end. There was no indication that any of the questionable decisions were the result of any sort of favouritism or conspiracies.

Nevertheless, this kind of talk is always ready to come to the surface.

Gianluca Rocchi Dismisses Inter “Bracelet” Insinuations: “All A Made-Up Story”

The latest episode concerns Serie A referee-designator Rocchi.

The referee-designator is a very influential figure within Italian football. Therefore, he is often at the centre of conspiracy theories.

One recent theory concerns a bracelet that Rocchi was wearing at the San Siro. However, the accessory had Nerazzurri colours.

As the referee-designator himself has explained, though, there is a much more innocuous explanation for the bracelet than him secretly being an an supporter.

“I don’t even want to waste any time on this matter,” said Rocchi.

He did however give a brief explanation. “I often walk around the stadiums, the referee has to go out on the pitches to understand whether they’re in ideal condition.”

“Often times I’m in the stands,” Rocchi continued. “And each team gives me a bracelet so that I can access certain areas of the stadium.”

From a picture of him with such a bracelet in Inter colours, the referee-designator says that “There is a made-up story that’s come up.”

In conclusion, Rocchi stated “but it shouldn’t be given any more importance than it already has been.”