Refereeing director Gianluca Rocchi is currently under investigation for alleged sporting fraud. A key aspect of the allegations suggests that he selected referees who favored Inter during the 2024-25 season. However, according to recent reports, Inter is not expected to issue any public statement on the matter at this time.
This latest controversy in Serie A surfaced on Saturday with the announcement of Rocchi’s investigation for sporting fraud. Italian media reports indicate that Rocchi allegedly intervened to remove referee Daniele Doveri from the Bologna vs. Inter match on April 20, 2025, as Doveri was not considered a favorable official for Inter. Andrea Colombo was subsequently assigned to the Bologna-Inter game, while Doveri was reportedly reassigned to the Coppa Italia semi-final second leg between Inter and Milan a few days later, on April 23, 2025.
It has been claimed that Rocchi made the decision to remove Doveri from the Bologna vs. Inter Serie A fixture while attending the first leg of the Coppa Italia semi-final at San Siro on April 2. The alleged agreement was to keep Doveri from officiating Inter’s most crucial matches.
Rocchi is also facing accusations of influencing a VAR decision. It is claimed he banged on the VAR booth window during a Serie A match between Udinese and Parma on March 1, 2025, urging Daniele Parerna to recommend an on-field review for a penalty.
Inter’s Reaction to Rocchi’s Fraud Allegations
According to reports from La Gazzetta dello Sport on Sunday, Inter finds the allegations against Rocchi perplexing. The club’s senior management convened on Saturday to discuss the implications of these allegations. However, Sunday’s report indicates they have decided against releasing a formal statement. Inter’s directors are also reportedly not planning to address the media on Sunday, feeling it is not the opportune moment to discuss the issue without a complete understanding of the facts.
Internally, Inter is said to be dismayed by the unfolding scandal. Simultaneously, the club aims to maintain composure and keep its players focused on their pursuit of the 2025-26 Scudetto.
The club is reportedly annoyed that Alessandro Bastoni’s name is being re-examined in relation to the allegations. Specifically, an incident involving Bastoni’s elbow on Hellas Verona’s Ondrej Duda during a match on January 6, 2024, has resurfaced under scrutiny.
Inter is also said to have reservations about the claims made against Rocchi, particularly the suggestion that he arranged to remove Doveri from their matches while present at the Stadio Meazza on April 2, 2025. The club’s perspective is that a crowded stadium on matchday would not be a suitable venue for a highly sensitive, covert discussion.
La Gazzetta dello Sport further reports that Inter intends to highlight the apparent inconsistency in the allegations. If Doveri were to be removed from Inter’s most significant games, it would seem illogical to then assign him to the second leg of a crucial cup semi-final late in the 2024-25 campaign.
Moreover, the alleged decision to remove Doveri from Inter’s Serie A match against Bologna did not ultimately benefit the Nerazzurri, as they lost the game 1-0 with a different referee officiating.