Italian football is embroiled in a fresh controversy after Gianluca Rocchi, the man responsible for assigning referees in Serie A and Serie B, announced on Sunday that he has suspended himself following reports of a criminal investigation into alleged sporting fraud. The 52-year-old former international referee made the decision voluntarily as prosecutors in Milan examine whether match officials were improperly influenced during the 2024-25 season.
Rocchi, who has served as the Italian Referees Association's (AIA) National Referees Commission designator for Italy's top two divisions, confirmed the decision in an official AIA statement. He said the decision was "painful and difficult" but was taken to allow the judicial process to proceed without distraction. Prosecutors from the Milan Public Prosecutor's Office are investigating him for suspected "complicity in sporting fraud" — a criminal offence in Italy that carries a maximum sentence of six years in prison.
He was not the only one to step aside. Andrea Gervasoni, the video assistant referee (VAR) supervisor for Serie A and Serie B, also suspended himself having been placed under investigation by the same authorities. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Thursday, at which both men's cases will be heard.
The allegations against Rocchi are serious. Italian news agency AGI reports that he is accused of influencing the appointment of a referee for an Inter Milan fixture on the basis that the official was "liked by Inter." He is also alleged to have pressured a VAR official to encourage a match referee to review a handball offence on the pitchside monitor during Udinese's 1-0 win over Parma in March last year. The referee and VAR official had reportedly already decided not to award a penalty before changing their decision — a reversal that directly led to Florian Thauvin scoring the only goal of the game.
Additionally, a separate VAR decision not to intervene when an Inter Milan player appeared to elbow an opponent is also under scrutiny in the investigation.
In his statement, Rocchi said: "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." He added that his "great love" for the AIA and his sense of responsibility for his role had led him to act in the best interests of referees under his watch.
The case has sent shockwaves through Italian football, with Serie A clubs watching the developments closely. The AIA has confirmed both suspensions and says it will fully cooperate with the investigation. Whether the scandal ultimately tarnishes the integrity of last season's results remains to be seen — but the fallout is already being felt at the very top of Italian refereeing.
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