The Investigation Shaking Italian Football: Rocchi Self-Suspends
A piece of news of historic proportions has rocked the world of Italian football in the last few hours. The Milan Public Prosecutor’s Office has officially opened an investigation into Gianluca Rocchi, head designator of referees for the AIA (Italian Referees’ Association), on charges of sports fraud. The accusation is extremely serious: having chosen referees “favoured” by Inter Milan for a number of decisive Serie A and Coppa Italia matches, manipulating referee assignments to benefit the Nerazzurri in the title race.
Rocchi’s immediate reaction was swift: the designator chose to self-suspend, declaring: “It is a necessary choice, but I will come out of this unscathed”, emphasising that he was taking this step out of love for his association and a sense of institutional responsibility. A move that, however, has done little to calm the storm that has descended on Italian refereeing.
The Three Charges: What the Prosecution Alleges
According to a reconstruction by news agency AGI, three charges have been brought against Rocchi, and the picture that emerges is deeply troubling.
The first charge relates to the Serie A match Bologna–Inter: Rocchi allegedly arranged, in concert with several individuals and on behalf of the AIA, the designation of the match referee for that specific league fixture, making the choice during a Coppa Italia match played at San Siro. The referee identified as “favoured” by the Nerazzurri is said to be Andrea Colombo — a designation allegedly constructed in advance, at least according to the investigative hypothesis.
The second charge flips the perspective: not only were supposedly favourable referees chosen for Inter, but referees deemed unwelcome were also deliberately excluded. Specifically, referee Doveri is alleged to have been intentionally kept away from the Nerazzurri’s most important fixtures — including the Coppa Italia semi-final and crucial league matches — precisely because he was not considered suitable by the Milanese club.
In addition to Rocchi, Andrea Gervasoni, VAR supervisor, is also under investigation — a sign that the inquiry extends well beyond the designator alone and could touch the entire referee assignment management system.
Sports Minister Abodi Steps In: “Transparency and Consequences”
Sports Minister Andrea Abodi also weighed in on the matter, posting a clear and direct message on his social media channels: “There is only one way to protect the sporting system and respect fans and football lovers: transparency, promptness and equal treatment when addressing alleged violations of sporting rules, especially when they have criminal implications. This must always be done, with everyone.”
The minister also indicated he expects to receive official information from CONI on the matter, warning without mincing words: “If responsibilities are confirmed, there cannot fail to be consequences.” Weighty words, suggesting the issue is taking on a dimension that goes well beyond football on the pitch.
Why People Are Calling It Calciopoli 2.0
The comparison with Calciopoli — the scandal that shook Italian football to its foundations in 2006, leading to relegations, points deductions and a complete overhaul of refereeing leadership — is neither accidental nor exaggerated. Back then, too, there was talk of manipulated designations, phone calls between executives and refereeing officials, and a system built to favour certain clubs at the expense of others.
Today, twenty years on, history appears to be repeating itself. The investigation is in its early stages and, according to several observers, could yield further developments in the coming days. The news has already spread across all major Italian media — TV, radio, websites and social networks — and it is not out of the question that the affair will gain international traction as well.
For the world of Italian football, and for supporters of every persuasion, a period of great uncertainty has begun. The hope is that justice runs its course swiftly and transparently, restoring credibility to a system that is in dire need of it.
