Serie A Referee Chief Faces Criminal Investigation for Alleged Sports Fraud
Gianluca Rocchi — the official responsible for assigning referees to every Serie A and Serie B fixture — is now under criminal investigation for alleged "participation in sports fraud." Prosecutors suspect he physically interfered with Video Assistant Referee (VAR) officials during live matches, allegedly knocking on the VAR booth's glass to influence their decisions.
On Saturday, Rocchi addressed the allegations directly: "This morning I received a notice of investigation. I am sure I have always acted correctly and I have full confidence in the judiciary."
Details of the Investigation
The criminal inquiry, overseen by Milan Prosecutor Maurizio Ascione, centres primarily on the 2024-25 season — the campaign that saw Napoli claim the title on the final matchday. According to investigative reports, Rocchi allegedly abandoned his assigned position at the Lissone VAR centre and knocked on the VAR room's glass door while officials were conducting live video reviews, attempting to influence their rulings.
One incident has drawn particular scrutiny. During the Udinese versus Parma match on March 1, 2025, VAR official Daniele Paterna was reviewing a possible handball inside Parma's penalty area. His initial assessment suggested no infraction — "Look at the position of the arm, it seems on the body," he noted. Then he glanced away from the monitor. Investigators believe this is when Rocchi allegedly intervened. Udinese was subsequently awarded a penalty, converted it, and secured a 1-0 victory.
The probe has also revived a previously closed case from the 2023-24 season involving Inter Milan defender Alessandro Bastoni. In that instance, VAR official Luigi Nasca was demoted for failing to identify a foul that resulted in a goal. Civil courts have now reopened that matter.
Beyond the alleged VAR interference, investigators are examining whether Rocchi assigned referees favoured by certain clubs — with Inter Milan specifically mentioned in reports — rather than making impartial appointments. No clubs have issued statements on the matter.
Echoes of Calciopoli
Italian football has confronted this type of crisis before. The 2006 Calciopoli scandal revealed a system where clubs actively influenced referee selections. Juventus were relegated to Serie B, stripped of two league titles, and Italian football underwent a complete institutional overhaul. That was nearly two decades ago.
The similarities are striking and troubling. If prosecutors' allegations against Rocchi prove accurate, this isn't simply about one official making questionable calls — it involves the person controlling the entire refereeing system allegedly manipulating match outcomes. Every contentious decision, every awarded penalty, every championship race from the past two seasons is now subject to scrutiny.
Italian Sports Minister Andrea Abodi was blunt in his assessment: "The most serious issue that emerges is how this complaint was handled within the football system." The original complaint was filed by former referee assistant Domenico Rocca in May 2025 — and according to Abodi, there has been no public response and no transparency regarding who received it or what action was taken.
For bettors and sports wagering markets, any bets placed on Serie A results from the 2024-25 season — including point spreads, championship odds, and relegation outcomes — are now based on potentially compromised matches. While Napoli's Scudetto triumph may well be legitimate, questions will inevitably persist.
The investigation remains active. Italy's National Olympic Committee (CONI) has been formally requested to provide answers. Rocchi continues in his position for the time being.