Italian football has been engulfed in a wave of strong controversy following an investigation opened by the Milan Prosecutor's Office into the referee selector for Serie A and Serie B, Gianluca Rocchi. He is accused of "participation in sports fraud," in a case that risks having serious consequences for the integrity of the championship. According to investigative sources, suspicions also involve VAR supervisor Andrea Gervasoni, with allegations that pressure was exerted on referees to favor certain teams, including Inter.
Following the scandal's emergence, Rocchi has decided to voluntarily suspend himself from his duties, while he is expected to appear before investigators on Thursday to provide his clarifications. The investigation began after a complaint from former assistant Domenico Rocca and has expanded with wiretaps and analysis of several key matches of the season, including the clash between Bologna and Inter, as well as the Italian Cup derby against Milan.
The Italian Referees Association (AIA) has issued a statement confirming Rocchi's suspension after the initiation of the investigation by the Milan Public Prosecutor's Office. The body stated that Andrea Gervasoni, the video assistant referee supervisor for Italy's top two divisions, has voluntarily suspended himself after being placed under investigation.
Rocchi, the referee assignor for Serie A and Serie B, said in an AIA statement: "This painful and difficult decision, shared with my family, aims to allow the judicial process to proceed smoothly, from which I am confident I will emerge unscathed and stronger than before."
The 52-year-old added: "My great love for the Association and my sense of responsibility for the role I hold compel me, above all, to protect such an important group of referees, whom I do not want to be affected in any way by my circumstances."
Meanwhile, FIGC (Italian Football Federation) has formally requested the file to reopen the case on a sporting level, signaling the possibility of severe penalties, ranging from suspensions to substantial fines for those involved. So far, Inter does not appear to be directly implicated in the investigation through its management, but the latest developments cast a strong shadow of doubt over the refereeing process and the competition in the elite of Italian football.