FIGC Prosecutor Giuseppe Chine has issued a statement addressing recent accusations leveled against refereeing designate Gianluca Rocchi. Rocchi is currently under investigation for claims of influencing VAR decisions and manipulating the selection of referees considered ‘favorable’ or ‘unfavorable’.
A new refereeing controversy emerged in Italy on Saturday, with reports indicating that Rocchi had been placed under investigation following a complaint filed in May 2025 by former assistant referee Domenico Rocca. Although initially archived, the complaint has resurfaced due to concerns about potential criminal relevance.
Rocchi reportedly received notification of the investigation on Friday, April 24, for alleged involvement in sporting fraud. He has confirmed his intention to step aside from his duties pending the outcome of the investigation.
Italian media has suggested that Rocchi interfered with VAR protocols during a Serie A match between Udinese and Parma on March 1, 2025. It is alleged that he approached the VAR booth, urging officials to conduct an on-field review for a penalty. Furthermore, there are claims that Rocchi assigned referee Andrea Colombo to the Bologna vs. Inter match on April 20, 2025, instead of Daniele Doveri, who was originally slated to officiate.
Investigators are also reportedly examining an incident involving Inter’s Alessandro Bastoni. During the 2023-24 season, in the build-up to an Inter goal against Hellas Verona, Bastoni allegedly elbowed Ondrej Duda without penalty, despite it occurring before the goal.
FIGC Prosecutor Chine’s Statement on the Rocchi Investigation
FIGC Prosecutor Chine, who typically maintains a low public profile, has released a statement to clarify several points regarding Rocchi and the ongoing inquiries. He asserts that some of the media reports are inaccurate.
Chine acknowledged that his office conducted an investigation into allegations of Rocchi influencing a VAR decision during the Udinese vs. Parma match last season. However, he stated that this was the sole complaint received, and the matter was subsequently closed. While not specifically mentioning Inter, Chine confirmed that his office will initiate or reopen an investigation if new information comes to light.
“Since some press outlets have been spreading untruthful news, with no adherence to the real version of events over the last few hours, I would like to confirm that on May 21, 2025, I received only the complaint signed by the assistant referee Domenico Rossa on the alleged intervention in the VAR booth by designator Rocchi during the Udinese-Parma match,” Chine’s statement read (via La Gazzetta dello Sport).
“Following this complaint, in full compliance with the code of sporting justice, a sporting investigation was immediately opened, hearing all those involved and all those with possible knowledge of the facts alleged by the accuser.
“As a result of these investigative acts and the testimonies given by those present, no disciplinary conduct was brought against any member of the AIA (Italian referees’ association). As is expressed in the current code of sporting justice, the prosecutor’s office therefore proposed to the general prosecutor’s office for sport at CONI for the disciplinary proceedings to be dismissed in July 2025.
“Given the investigation that was carried out and given the content of the statements made by the subjects that were audited, this proposal was agreed by the general prosecutor’s office for sport.
“With regard to any new facts that may require sporting disciplinary measures, which the public prosecutor’s office in Milan is dealing with, I can confirm that I am already in contact with the investigative bodies in charge of the criminal proceedings and that I have already taken steps, as of yesterday, to formally request, where possible, the documents relating to the acts of the criminal investigation and will start and possibly reopen (an investigation) if there are new and decisive pieces of evidence.”