Rocchi under investigation: a shock that shakes Italian football
A real judicial earthquake has struck Italian football, already struggling with deep economic and structural difficulties. According to reports by the AGI news agency, immediately picked up by all major national sports outlets, Gianluca Rocchi, the Serie A referees’ designator, is under investigation by the Milan Public Prosecutor’s Office for alleged complicity in sporting fraud. The investigation is being coordinated by public prosecutor Maurizio Ascione, who officially notified Rocchi of the opening of the proceedings last night.
The news spread across Italy within hours, sparking heated debate throughout the football world. This is described as a broad and complex investigative thread, with further details expected to emerge in the coming days.
The cases under scrutiny
At the centre of the investigation are at least two specific episodes of particular relevance.
The first concerns the Inter vs Verona match in 2024, specifically involving a contact between Inter defender Alessandro Bastoni and Verona midfielder Duda. According to investigators, it was an intentional elbow that, despite immediate protests, was not subjected to any VAR review. The hypothesis is that a call for an on-field review was deliberately omitted, a step that should have been activated under current regulations.
The second case involves the Udinese vs Parma match, with investigations focused on VAR usage. This thread was triggered by a complaint filed by Domenico Rocca, subsequently archived by sporting justice. However, prosecutors allege that Rocchi knocked on the glass of the VAR operations room, inducing officials to review their decision — a behaviour not permitted under the existing protocol.
A heavy blow for Italian football
These episodes represent, if confirmed, yet another dark shadow over a football system that is already fragile, marked by image problems, financial difficulties and structural issues that have long undermined its international credibility. It is crucial to stress, however, that this is an ongoing investigation: Rocchi is under investigation, not convicted, and the situation will need to be assessed through the proper judicial process.
The principle of presumption of innocence remains central, but it is undeniable that the case casts a long shadow over Italian refereeing integrity — a topic that has always been sensitive and frequently at the heart of controversy in our league. Further updates are expected in the coming days that may clarify the true scope of the inquiry and any potential responsibilities.
