Inter president Marotta denies club involved in Rocchi referee investigation
Inter Milan president Giuseppe Marotta has publicly denied any club involvement in the ongoing investigation into former Serie A referee designator Gianluca Rocchi, who is being probed for alleged sporting fraud. Speaking to Sky Sport Italia ahead of Inter's match against Torino, Marotta moved to reassure fans after news of the investigation broke, stating the club has always acted with the utmost correctness.
Marotta claimed Inter learned of the details only from press reports and expressed surprise at the declarations and statements that have emerged. He explicitly denied the club ever maintained lists of favoured or disfavoured referees. The investigation reportedly examines whether Rocchi improperly influenced referee appointments based on club preferences, with one of the alleged charges involving a request for a 'favoured' official.
When asked about a presumed meeting with Rocchi linked to this charge, Marotta stated he was surprised and could not find a connection, refusing to delve further into the matter. He instead pointed to past decisions that went against Inter last season, which he said were acknowledged by the refereeing hierarchy, citing a denied penalty in a match against Roma as an example.
Marotta's comments represent an official club stance aimed at distancing Inter from the scandal that has rocked Italian football. Rocchi, who has temporarily stepped aside from his role, is a central figure in the probe. The public denial comes at a sensitive time for Inter, who are closing in on the Serie A title and seek to avoid any reputational damage or sporting sanctions.
The president emphasized the club's focus remains on securing the championship as soon as possible, declaring the squad's innocence in the affair both now and in the future. The situation adds another layer of tension to the final stages of the Italian season, with the integrity of officiating under scrutiny. The football authorities have yet to release further details or potential disciplinary actions as the investigation continues.
