Inter Milan president Giuseppe Marotta has forcefully denied any club involvement in the 'Rocchi case', an Italian football scandal that has led to the suspension of the national referees' designator. Speaking to Sky Sport Italia before Inter's match against Torino, Marotta stated that the club learned of the allegations solely from press reports and insisted on Inter's total correctness.
Marotta's comments come as Inter, on the verge of clinching the Serie A title, find themselves at the centre of off-field speculation. The investigation by the Milan Prosecutor's Office has reportedly cited the names of referees Colombo and Doveri in relation to the case. When asked by Sky if he recalled the specific matchdays mentioned, Marotta responded, "I am surprised because absolutely... I don't say I don't remember... I don't find a connection with this."
The Inter president also launched a counter-argument, pointing to adverse refereeing decisions against his club last season. "Last year was a season in which we had adverse decisions, subsequently confirmed by the top of the refereeing association, like the penalty in Inter-Roma," Marotta said, according to Sky. He reiterated his confidence that the ongoing investigation would have no repercussions for the club, telling DAZN, "Could there be repercussions for Inter? No, absolutely not. We are very calm and want to reassure everyone."
Despite the external noise, Marotta sought to refocus attention on Inter's imminent on-field achievements. The Nerazzurri need only a few more points to secure the Scudetto, potentially as early as next weekend. "Winning a Scudetto at home, in front of our fans, would be a beautiful thing," Marotta said. He credited coach Simone Inzaghi and the squad for their campaign, which also includes a Coppa Italia final, a trophy Inter could win for a tenth time.
Marotta's televised remarks sparked immediate reaction online, with some social media users drawing parallels to the 2006 Calciopoli scandal that involved Juventus. One user noted, "Dear Marotta, even Moggi learned everything from the press," referencing former Juventus director Luciano Moggi. The club's strong sporting position, however, appears insulated for now, with the team focused on sealing the title.
The situation presents a stark contrast between Inter's dominant sporting performance and the shadow of the administrative scandal. As the investigation continues, Marotta's public stance is one of complete detachment and confidence in the club's integrity, aiming to ensure the off-field controversy does not disrupt the culmination of a highly successful season.
