Italian Referee Designator Rocchi Suspends Himself Amid Fraud Investigation
Gianluca Rocchi, the head of Italy's top-tier refereeing commission (CAN), has voluntarily suspended himself from his role after being notified he is under formal investigation for sports fraud. The development, confirmed by the Italian Referees Association (AIA), follows the receipt of an official judicial notice from the Milan prosecutor's office on Saturday morning.
Rocchi, who is accused of "complicity in sports fraud," announced his immediate self-suspension late on Saturday evening. In a statement, he said the decision was made "in agreement with the AIA and for the good of the CAN group," adding it was a "difficult" choice shared with his family. He expressed confidence he would emerge from the judicial process "unscathed and stronger." His lawyer, Antonio D'Avirro, stated that Rocchi contests the allegations but declined further comment while reviewing the case files.
The investigation, led by prosecutor Maurizio Ascione, centres on three main allegations according to reports. These include the alleged orchestration of the appointment of referee Colombo for Bologna's Serie A match against Inter Milan on April 20, 2024. A second point concerns the alleged placement of referee Doveri in a Coppa Italia semi-final to make him ineligible for the final. The third involves an alleged interference during Udinese-Parma, where VAR official Paterna is accused of improperly consulting someone through a window before recommending an on-field review to referee Maresca.
The case has sent immediate shockwaves through Italian football's officiating structure. Rocchi was due to assess referee Paride Tremolada at the Cesena-Sampdoria match on Saturday but was replaced at the last minute following the judicial notification. His interrogation by prosecutors is scheduled for Thursday, April 30, in Milan.
In a personal gesture reported late Saturday, Rocchi reportedly exited the CAN's group chat, bidding farewell to his colleagues with a message that read, "Hello guys, I would have liked to say goodbye differently," and encouraging them to "give your best, as always." His departure creates an immediate leadership vacuum at the heart of Italy's refereeing system during the final, crucial weeks of the Serie A season. The AIA must now appoint an interim head to oversee match official designations while the legal process unfolds.
