Dino Tommasi, in his first public appearance as the interim referees’ designator, has publicly expressed his support for his predecessor, Gianluca Rocchi, following a period of controversy within Italian officiating.
Tommasi, who was recently appointed by the national referees’ committee to manage Serie A and Serie B appointments, made his debut in this capacity during a broadcast of Open VAR. He stepped into the role after Rocchi and his assistant, Andrea Gervasoni, voluntarily suspended themselves while an investigation by the Milan prosecutor’s office is underway.
Stand-in Designator Tommasi: ‘Message of Solidarity to Rocchi & Gervasoni’
Despite the uncertain circumstances, Tommasi aimed to de-escalate tensions and reinforce unity within the refereeing organization. He emphasized that the group remains focused on maintaining consistency and professionalism, particularly during a critical phase of the season.
Via TuttoMercatoWeb, Tommasi stated, “I want to send a message of solidarity to Gianluca and Andrea on behalf of the entire refereeing group, a strong message of closeness.”
Tommasi also highlighted the importance of stability as the league approaches its decisive weeks, adding, “we are calm and we want to finish the season with stability and determination.”
This statement appears to be an effort to safeguard the integrity of Italian refereeing during a sensitive period, while also ensuring that on-field operations continue without disruption.