There are allegations that the head of refereeing designators, Gianluca Rocchi, is facing an investigation for alleged sporting fraud. This reportedly includes accusations of selecting referees favorable to Inter Milan during the 2024-25 season.
The serious charges surfaced this afternoon with the announcement that Rocchi is officially under investigation for sporting fraud, a grave accusation that was notably absent even during the extensive Calciopoli scandal of 2006.
Details of the Case Against Rocchi Emerge
While the specific reasons behind the accusation are not yet fully clarified, news agency AGI reports that investigators believe Rocchi may have influenced the assignment of referee Andrea Colombo for the Bologna vs. Inter match on April 20, 2025.
This alleged decision was reportedly made because Inter expressed dissatisfaction with the prospect of Daniele Doveri officiating the game. Consequently, Doveri was reassigned to a Coppa Italia semi-final match on April 23, which Milan won 3-0.
It is claimed that Rocchi made this and other similar decisions while at San Siro for the first leg of the Coppa Italia semi-final on April 2. The implication is that Doveri was deliberately kept away from matches deemed crucial for Inter.
Ironically, the match involving Colombo, which was supposedly to benefit Inter, did not turn out that way. Inter ultimately lost ground in the Scudetto race due to a late goal from Riccardo Orsolini, scored from a throw-in that had gone out of play further up the field than where it was returned.
Another accusation against Rocchi involves an incident on March 1, 2025. It is alleged that Rocchi, acting as VAR supervisor, exceeded his authority by banging on the VAR booth window. He is said to have urged VAR official Daniele Paterna to recommend an On-Field Review for a penalty during the Udinese vs. Parma match.
Paterna reportedly did not initially intend to recommend the review for referee Fabio Maresca, who eventually awarded the penalty to Udinese. However, Paterna is said to have felt pressured by Rocchi into making the recommendation.