Full Breakdown
Gianluca Rocchi Suspends Himself Amid Sporting Fraud Probe
4/27/2026, 11:06:36 AM
Core Event: Self-Suspension of Italy’s Referee Designator
Gianluca Rocchi, the 52-year-old referee designator for Serie A and Serie B, announced his voluntary suspension on Saturday after the Milan public prosecutor opened an investigation into alleged “complicity in sporting fraud” for the 2024-25 season. A preliminary hearing is set for Thursday.
Background & Context: Role and Legal Framework
Rocchi heads the National Referees Commission, which appoints match officials for Italy’s top two leagues. Under Italian law, sporting fraud is punishable by up to six years in prison, making the probe a criminal matter.
Data & Statistics
Two matches are central to the allegations: Inter’s 1-0 win at Bologna in April and Udinese’s 1-0 victory over Parma in March, the latter involving a handball review that led to Florian Thauvin’s goal.
Official Statements & Responses
The AIA issued a statement confirming Rocchi’s self-suspension and noting Gervasoni’s parallel step-aside. Rocchi’s own remarks described the decision as painful but necessary to allow the judicial process to run without interference, and he expressed confidence he will emerge unscathed.
Criticism & Opposition
Prosecutors allege Rocchi chose Andrea Colombo for Inter’s match because he was “liked by Inter,” raising concerns of bias. They also claim Rocchi pressured VAR official Daniele Paterna to revisit a handball decision in the Udinese-Parma game, allegedly banging on the VAR room door to trigger a penalty that produced Thauvin’s goal. A separate VAR decision involving an Inter player’s elbow has also been placed under scrutiny.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
The allegations refer to “unnamed suspects” alongside Rocchi, and the exact nature of the supporting evidence, such as audio of the alleged door-banging, has not been disclosed. The case may be forwarded to the Italian football federation (FIGC) for a separate inquiry, but details remain pending.
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, Referee Designator
- “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
- “This painful and difficult decision … is intended to allow the judicial proceedings, from which I am certain I will emerge unscathed, to run smoothly,” — Gianluca Rocchi (statement to media)
- “it’s a penalty” — Daniele Paterna, VAR official (as captured in VAR room footage)
What’s Next
Rocchi’s preliminary hearing is scheduled for Thursday; a judge will decide whether formal charges follow. The Milan prosecutor’s office will send the file to the FIGC, which may open its own disciplinary proceeding. Both Rocchi and Gervasoni stay suspended pending the outcome.
