Italian refereeing chief Gianluca Rocchi has suspended himself after being placed under investigation over alleged sporting fraud linked to referee appointments in Serie A.
Gianluca Rocchi has suspended himself as head of Italian referees after reports of an investigation into alleged sporting fraud during the 2024/25 season. Rocchi, who oversees referee appointments in Serie A and Serie B, confirmed his temporary withdrawal in a statement issued by the Italian Referees Association.
“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,” Rocchi said. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Thursday, while VAR supervisor Andrea Gervasoni has also stepped aside.
Investigators are examining claims Rocchi appointed referees to Inter Milan matches based on preferences and that VAR decisions in another game may have been improperly influenced. Sporting fraud is a criminal offence in Italy and can carry a prison sentence of up to six years.