Abodi: ‘No avoiding consequences’ for Rocchi refereeing scandal | OneFootball

Minister for Sport Andrea Abodi warns ‘there can be no avoiding consequences’ over the Gianluca Rocchi scandal after the refereeing designator was placed under investigation for sporting fraud.

The story erupted this afternoon when Rocchi confirmed he had received a formal notice of investigation by the Prosecutor in Milan, with the accusation of sporting fraud.

More details are slowly emerging, but he is generally accused of over-stepping the boundaries of the refereeing designator role by influencing the VAR officials during a game, and of assigning referees who were ‘preferred’ by Inter to Serie A matches.

Abodi takes stand on Rocchi scandal

ZENICA, BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA – MARCH 31: (L-R) Italy Minister of Sport Andrea Abodi, President of CONI Luciano Buonfiglio and President of FIGC Gabriele Gravina look on prior the FIFA World Cup 2026 European Qualifiers KO play-offs match between Bosnia and Herzegovina and Italy at Stadion Bilino Polje on March 31, 2026 in Zenica, Bosnia and Herzegovina. (Photo by Getty Images/Getty Images)

Minister for Sport Abodi took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to express his outrage at the latest scandal.

“There is only one way of safeguarding the sporting system in all its facets and respect the fans, those passionate and in love with sport, starting with football.

“That is transparency, timely and equal treatment when faced with the failure to observe sporting norms, especially when these have possible criminal implications. And to do so always and with everyone!

“Like all of you, I am reading the reports that are emerging on an investigation by the Prosecutor in Milan, starting from the accusation made by a former member of the Italian Association of Referees,” continued Abodi.

“While leaving it to the judicial authorities to carry out their work and without wishing to delve into the merits of the actions of the refereeing designator Rocchi, the most serious aspect that emerges is the way in which the complaint itself was handled within the football system.

“So far, no public response, just as we do not know who received the complaint and which body was tasked with the matter to verify its validity.

“I therefore expect to receive formally from CONI, as soon as possible, information regarding the affair. In the event that responsibilities are ascertained, there can be no avoiding consequences.”

ROME, ITALY – JUNE 03: Minister of Sport Andrea Abodi attends during the 1st SS Lazio conference: bullying and cyberbullying in schools and sports at the Olimpic stadium on June 03, 2025 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Marco Rosi – SS Lazio/Getty Images)

What Abodi is referring to here is the fact that these events all happened towards the end of the 2024-25 campaign.

It started when former assistant referee Domenico Rocca wrote a letter denouncing the behaviour of Rocchi, particularly with regards to influencing those in the VAR booth.

If there was an internal investigation by the FIGC, then nothing came of it, and it was shelved.

Now it’s reported Rocchi will give testimony to investigators on April 30.

AIA chief Gianluca Rocchi (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)

If no action was taken against Rocchi, then there were at least some changes, as it’s reported this season he is not on the other side of the VAR booth wall.

This is where he banged on the glass to encourage them to change a decision that was in the process of being made.

All the VAR booths now are in the Lissone centre, rather than in the individual stadiums where the games are being played.