Inter president Marotta addresses referee controversy as Scudetto nears
Inter Milan president Giuseppe Marotta has publicly addressed the growing controversy surrounding the Italian Referees Association (AIA), insisting the club is "extraneous" to the investigation while his team closes in on the Serie A title. Speaking to Sky Sport Italia before Inter's match against Torino, Marotta stated the club learns of developments "from the press" and expressed surprise at the recent statements made.
The controversy, known as the 'Rocchi case', involves an investigation by the Milan Prosecutor's Office into alleged pressure on refereeing designators and has led to the suspension of designator Gianluca Rocchi. When asked about specific matches and referees mentioned in the probe, such as referees Colombo and Doveri, Marotta told Sky, "I am surprised because absolutely... I don't say I don't remember... I find no connection with this."
Marotta defended Inter's conduct, stating the club has always acted with "maximum correctness." He also shifted focus to perceived injustices from the previous season, citing a specific penalty incident in Inter's match against Roma which was later acknowledged as an error by the refereeing authorities. "Last year was a season in which we had adverse decisions, subsequently acknowledged by the refereeing authorities," Marotta said.
The club president's comments, particularly his non-denial and non-confirmation regarding the cited matches, sparked significant reaction online, with some fans drawing parallels to the Calciopoli scandal of 2006, though Marotta firmly rejected any suggestion of repercussions for Inter. Speaking to DAZN, he added, "Could there be repercussions for Inter? No, absolutely not. We are very calm and want to reassure everyone."
This off-field drama contrasts sharply with Inter's on-field success. Under coach Simone Inzaghi, the Nerazzurri are on the verge of securing the Scudetto, which could be clinched as early as this weekend with a win in the Milan derby against AC Milan. Marotta was keen to redirect attention to this achievement, praising the coach and squad. "The compliments must be reserved for the coach and the team," he said.
Winning the title at home in front of their fans would be "a beautiful thing," Marotta noted, while also highlighting the club's ambition in the Coppa Italia, a trophy they have won nine times previously. The president's statements aim to project an image of a club focused solely on sporting success while navigating a delicate institutional moment in Italian football, seeking to insulate his players from the external noise as they approach the finish line of a dominant league campaign.
