Referee Assignments Favoring Inter Milan
Rocchi: “I will prove my innocence and return”
Rocchi: “I will prove my innocence and return”
Gianluca Rocchi (pictured), the head of referees in Italy’s Serie A, has temporarily stepped aside amid allegations of sporting fraud. On April 27, The Associated Press reported that prosecutors opened a criminal investigation into alleged sporting misconduct linked to the 2024–25 season. Rocchi voluntarily stepped down after the probe began. He oversees referee assignments across Italy’s top two divisions, Serie A (1st division) and Serie B (2nd division). Andrea Zerbasoni, the VAR supervisor, is also under investigation and has relinquished his duties.
In a statement released through the Italian Referees Association (AIA), Rocchi said the “painful and difficult” decision—made after consulting his family—was intended to allow the judicial process to proceed without hindrance. “I am confident I will prove my innocence and come back stronger,” he said.
Prosecutors allege Rocchi steered favorable referee appointments to benefit a particular club and intervened in match decisions. Italian media report he replaced referees in Inter Milan fixtures to Inter’s advantage. They also allege that during a March 2025 match between Udinese and Parma, he knocked on the VAR room’s glass and urged officials to review a penalty decision.
