Serie A referee chief Gianluca Rocchi is under investigation for suspected sports fraud, and authorities believe a video proves the 52-year-old influenced VAR decisions during games.
Italian football is being shaken by another referee scandal involving referee designator Rocchi and VAR supervisor Andrea Gervasoni.
AIA chief Gianluca Rocchi (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)
Rocchi will be heard in the Milan Prosecutor’s office on April 30, as he’s accused, among other things, of having influenced VAR decisions during matches.
A video from March 1, 2025, shows VAR official Daniele Paterna reviewing a potential handball incident inside Parma’s box during their away match against Udinese.
Paterna seems reluctant to impose a penalty because, he says, the Parma player’s arm didn’t make his body unnaturally bigger.
PISA, ITALY – MARCH 2: General view of the VAR monitor inside the Arena Garibaldi stadium in Pisa during the Serie A match between Pisa SC and Bologna FC 1909 at Arena Garibaldi on March 2, 2026 in Pisa, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)
However, at some point, Paterna suddenly turns to his right and asks, ‘Is that a penalty?’
According to investigators, Paterna turned towards Rocchi, who had knocked on the VAR officials’ door to say a pitchside review was needed.
This would violate VAR regulations, as decisions can only be made by the three VAR officials and the on-field referee without external influence.
Rocchi has now suspended himself, saying that he’s confident he’ll emerge “stronger than before.”
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Gianluca Rocchi has decided to step aside from his role as head of referees in Serie A and Serie B after being placed under investigation for alleged sporting fraud.
The development follows a formal notice issued by prosecutors in Milan, which has triggered a major controversy within Italian football.
Rocchi, who currently oversees referee appointments through the Italian Referees Association, has chosen to suspend himself while awaiting further clarity.
AIA chief Gianluca Rocchi (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)
Rocchi suspends himself as referee designator
According to reports from CalcioMercato, the decision was made in agreement with the referees’ association and ahead of a ruling from its national committee.
Rocchi addressed the situation directly, expressing confidence in the outcome of the investigation.
“I am certain I will emerge unscathed and stronger than before.”
The move is intended to protect the integrity of the refereeing system during what is becoming a sensitive and high-profile case. His temporary step back allows the governing bodies to proceed with their review without additional pressure.
The situation remains ongoing, with further developments expected as the investigation continues.
Minister for Sport Andrea Abodi warns ‘there can be no avoiding consequences’ over the Gianluca Rocchi scandal after the refereeing designator was placed under investigation for sporting fraud.
More details are slowly emerging, but he is generally accused of over-stepping the boundaries of the refereeing designator role by influencing the VAR officials during a game, and of assigning referees who were ‘preferred’ by Inter to Serie A matches.
Abodi takes stand on Rocchi scandal
ZENICA, BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA – MARCH 31: (L-R) Italy Minister of Sport Andrea Abodi, President of CONI Luciano Buonfiglio and President of FIGC Gabriele Gravina look on prior the FIFA World Cup 2026 European Qualifiers KO play-offs match between Bosnia and Herzegovina and Italy at Stadion Bilino Polje on March 31, 2026 in Zenica, Bosnia and Herzegovina. (Photo by Getty Images/Getty Images)
“There is only one way of safeguarding the sporting system in all its facets and respect the fans, those passionate and in love with sport, starting with football.
“That is transparency, timely and equal treatment when faced with the failure to observe sporting norms, especially when these have possible criminal implications. And to do so always and with everyone!
“Like all of you, I am reading the reports that are emerging on an investigation by the Prosecutor in Milan, starting from the accusation made by a former member of the Italian Association of Referees,” continued Abodi.
“While leaving it to the judicial authorities to carry out their work and without wishing to delve into the merits of the actions of the refereeing designator Rocchi, the most serious aspect that emerges is the way in which the complaint itself was handled within the football system.
“So far, no public response, just as we do not know who received the complaint and which body was tasked with the matter to verify its validity.
“I therefore expect to receive formally from CONI, as soon as possible, information regarding the affair. In the event that responsibilities are ascertained, there can be no avoiding consequences.”
ROME, ITALY – JUNE 03: Minister of Sport Andrea Abodi attends during the 1st SS Lazio conference: bullying and cyberbullying in schools and sports at the Olimpic stadium on June 03, 2025 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Marco Rosi – SS Lazio/Getty Images)
What Abodi is referring to here is the fact that these events all happened towards the end of the 2024-25 campaign.
It started when former assistant referee Domenico Rocca wrote a letter denouncing the behaviour of Rocchi, particularly with regards to influencing those in the VAR booth.
If there was an internal investigation by the FIGC, then nothing came of it, and it was shelved.
Now it’s reported Rocchi will give testimony to investigators on April 30.
AIA chief Gianluca Rocchi (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)
If no action was taken against Rocchi, then there were at least some changes, as it’s reported this season he is not on the other side of the VAR booth wall.
This is where he banged on the glass to encourage them to change a decision that was in the process of being made.
All the VAR booths now are in the Lissone centre, rather than in the individual stadiums where the games are being played.
Refereeing designator Gianluca Rocchi has assured he ‘always acted fairly and have full faith in the justice system’ after he was placed under investigation for sporting fraud.
It is reported he over-stepped his boundaries by urging VAR officials to recommend On-Field Reviews by banging on the window of the VAR booth in the Lissone centre, and of assigning referees who were ‘preferred’ by Inter to certain matches, rather than others.
Rocchi responds to accusations
AIA chief Gianluca Rocchi (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)
“This morning I received the confirmation I was under investigation,” said Rocchi in a statement to news agency ANSA.
“I am certain that I always acted fairly and have full faith in the justice system.”
The matter had already been evaluated and archived by the sporting justice system, but has now been picked up by the civil courts instead.
The accusation of ‘sporting fraud’ is extremely serious, and was not even used during the Calciopoli scandal of 2006.
It remains to be seen how far this investigation will go, and how it will affect the Italian football world.
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