Full Breakdown
Italian Referee Designator Gianluca Rocchi Suspends Himself Amid Fraud Probe
4/27/2026, 2:06:46 AM
Self-Suspension Amid Fraud Probe
Gianluca Rocchi, referee designator for Serie A and Serie B, announced his self-suspension after the Milan Public Prosecutor’s Office opened an investigation into alleged complicity in sporting fraud for the 2024-25 season. The Italian Referees Association (AIA) confirmed the suspension and noted VAR supervisor Andrea Gervasoni has also suspended himself. Preliminary hearing is set for Thursday.
Background & Context
Rocchi, a former international referee, has overseen referee appointments for Italy’s premier leagues since 2022. In Italy, sporting fraud carries a maximum penalty of six years’ imprisonment.
Key Figures & Groups
Gianluca Rocchi – Serie A/B referee designator; Andrea Gervasoni – VAR supervisor; Italian Referees Association (AIA) – governing body; Milan Public Prosecutor’s Office – investigative authority; AGI – news agency reporting the allegations.
Allegations
Investigators claim Rocchi steered the referee appointment for an Inter Milan match because he was “liked by Inter”. A VAR decision not to act on an Inter player’s elbow is also under review. Rocchi is further accused of pressuring a VAR official to order a review of a pitch-side monitor for a handball that led to Florian Thauvin’s winning goal in Udinese’s victory over Parma.
Official Statements & Responses
The AIA confirmed Rocchi’s suspension and noted Gervasoni’s self-suspension. Rocchi’s personal statement stressed his “painful and difficult decision”, his confidence of emerging “unscathed and stronger than before”, and his “great love for my association” and desire to shield athletes from any impact of his situation.
Criticism & Opposition
Clubs, players and fan groups have voiced concerns that the alleged interference threatens the integrity of referee appointments and VAR decisions, calling for greater transparency in the designator’s selection process.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
The story relies on AGI’s reporting and the AIA’s statement; no independent verification of the alleged referee or VAR manipulations has been provided.
Verbatim Quotes
- “This painful and difficult decision, shared with my family, is intended to allow the judicial process to proceed smoothly, from which I am certain I will emerge unscathed and stronger than before.” — Gianluca Rocchi
- “My great love for my association and my sense of responsibility for the role I hold lead me, above all, to protect such an important group of athletes, whom I do not want to be affected in any way by my circumstances.” — Gianluca Rocchi
- “ It is alleged that Rocchi was behind the selection of a referee for an Inter Milan game as he was "liked by Inter".” — AGI (as quoted in the investigation report)
What’s Next
The Thursday hearing will decide whether formal charges are filed. Depending on the outcome, the AIA may impose disciplinary measures or criminal proceedings could proceed, potentially reshaping Italy’s referee appointment system.
