Inter Milan and its executives are not under investigation as part of a sports fraud probe involving referee designations, according to sources close to the Milan Prosecutor's Office. The investigation, which has seen former referee designator Gianluca Rocchi named, is focused entirely on individuals within the refereeing establishment. The matches under scrutiny by prosecutor Maurizio Ascione are reported to be four or five in number and are not from the current Serie A season.
Reports in Italy indicate the probe was opened over a year ago, weeks before a formal complaint was lodged by Domenico Rocca against the leadership of the Italian Referees Association (AIA). That complaint led to a separate case file at the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) prosecutor's office, which had initially chosen to archive the matter. That sporting justice case could now be reopened following the receipt of documents from the Milan authorities.
The name of Inter emerged during the investigation regarding the possibility of favourable referee appointments for the club last season. Specifically mentioned is Inter's away match at Bologna on April 20, 2025, and alleged efforts to ensure that referee Daniele Doveri, considered "less favourable" to the Nerazzurri, did not officiate their matches in the final stages of the league or a potential Coppa Italia final. Doveri was instead assigned to the second leg of the Coppa Italia semi-final.
Two key aspects are highlighted in the developing situation. Firstly, the sporting authorities are still awaiting the full documentation from the criminal probe. Secondly, the absence of formal charges in ordinary criminal court does not automatically guarantee innocence in the separate realm of sporting justice, which operates under different rules where suspicion alone can be grounds for action. Therefore, the situation remains fluid pending any decision by the FIGC's sporting judiciary.
Prior to Inter's match against Torino on Sunday, CEO Giuseppe Marotta addressed the media speculation directly. "We have seen these comments from the press and we are quite amazed," Marotta said. "We do not have a list of favoured referees. Last season we had decisions go against us, even acknowledged by the heads of the referees' association, like the penalty not given in Inter-Roma. We are strong in our correctness and tranquility." When asked about potential repercussions for the club, Marotta was unequivocal: "No, absolutely not. We are very calm and we want to reassure everyone."
The club's strong denial comes as Inter closes in on the Serie A title, with Marotta emphasizing the team's focus is solely on securing the Scudetto as quickly as possible before turning attention to the Coppa Italia. The outcome of the sporting justice review could have implications for the federation's internal procedures, but as it stands, Inter faces no formal allegations from the ongoing criminal investigation.
