Italian football in crisis: Gianluca Rocchi investigated for alleged VAR manipulation and referee bias | OneFootball

Italian football has been rocked by fresh controversy after Gianluca Rocchi was placed under investigation for alleged sporting fraud, according to The Athletic.

With Rocchi responsible for appointing referees in Serie A and Serie B, the news has unsurprisingly sent shockwaves throughout the Italian football landscape.

Prosecutors in Milan have asked Rocchi to appear for questioning next Thursday. 

The case is built on claims that he may have breached VAR procedures and influenced referee selections in a way that favoured Serie A champions-elect Inter Milan. 

Having opened up a 10-point lead over title holders Napoli at the Serie A summit, Inter are five points from the remaining five games away from being crowned champions.

While the investigation is still in its early stages, the seriousness of the allegations has already made headlines across the country and abroad.

Rocchi has announced that he will step aside from his role with immediate effect. His colleague, Andrea Gervasoni, has done the same. 

The decision to suspend themselves is viewed as an attempt to protect the integrity of the refereeing body while the legal process unfolds.

Authorities are closely examining five matches from the past two seasons.

These are Inter vs Verona (January 6, 2024), Udinese vs Parma (March 1, 2025), Salernitana vs Modena (March 8, 2025), Bologna vs Inter (April 20, 2025) and Inter vs AC Milan (April 23, 2025)

At the moment, no one from the clubs involved is currently under investigation, so the focus is entirely on officiating decisions and internal processes.

In a public statement, Rocchi said: “With regard to today’s events, in agreement with the Italian Referees’ Association (AIA) and for the good of the National Referees’ Committee (CAN), which must be able to operate with the utmost peace of mind, I have decided to suspend myself, with immediate effect, from the role of Head of the CAN.

“This choice, though painful and difficult, has been made in consultation with my family and is intended to allow the legal proceedings to run their course properly. 

“I am certain I will emerge from this unscathed and stronger than before.”