Serie A's Top Referee Official Faces Criminal Investigation for Alleged Match Interference

The official responsible for assigning referees to every Serie A and Serie B match is now at the centre of a criminal investigation. Gianluca Rocchi stands accused of "participation in sports fraud," with prosecutors alleging he physically interfered with Video Assistant Referee (VAR) officials while matches were in progress.

This isn't about administrative errors or subtle favouritism. According to the investigation, Rocchi allegedly knocked on the VAR booth's glass window during live game reviews to influence refereeing decisions in real-time.

On Saturday, Rocchi acknowledged the probe publicly, stating: "This morning I received a notice of investigation. I am sure I have always acted correctly and I have full confidence in the judiciary."

Details of the allegations

Milan Prosecutor Maurizio Ascione is leading the investigation, which centres mainly on the 2024-25 campaign — the season Napoli clinched on the final matchday. Reports suggest Rocchi allegedly abandoned his designated area at the Lissone VAR centre and knocked on the VAR room's glass during crucial reviews, attempting to influence match-changing calls.

One particular incident has drawn significant attention. During the March 1, 2025 fixture between Udinese and Parma, VAR official Daniele Paterna was examining a possible handball inside Parma's penalty area. His initial assessment suggested no infraction — "Look at the position of the arm, it seems on the body," he noted. Then he looked away from the screen. Investigators suspect Rocchi intervened at precisely that moment. Udinese were subsequently awarded the penalty kick, converted it, and secured a 1-0 victory.

The investigation has also resurrected a previously closed case from the 2023-24 season involving Alessandro Bastoni. In that instance, VAR official Luigi Nasca faced demotion for not identifying a foul that resulted in a goal. Civil courts have now brought the matter back under scrutiny.

Beyond alleged VAR interference, investigators are examining whether Rocchi assigned referees who were favoured by specific clubs — with Inter mentioned explicitly in reports — instead of making impartial appointments. No clubs have issued statements regarding the allegations.

Echoes of Calciopoli

Italian football has confronted this nightmare before. The 2006 Calciopoli scandal revealed a systematic arrangement where clubs actively handpicked referees to gain competitive advantages. Juventus faced relegation, lost two championship titles, and the entire Italian football governance structure underwent major reforms. That was almost two decades ago.

The similarities are striking and deeply troubling. If the allegations against Rocchi prove accurate, this represents more than isolated poor officiating — it suggests the individual controlling the entire refereeing system was allegedly manipulating match outcomes. Every tight decision, every converted spot-kick, every championship race from the previous two seasons now carries an asterisk.

Italian Sport Minister Andrea Abodi spoke bluntly about the situation: "The most serious issue that emerges is how this complaint was handled within the football system." That original complaint came from former referee assistant Domenico Rocca in May 2025 — and according to Abodi, there's been no public acknowledgment and no transparency regarding who received it or what action was taken.

For bettors and football fans alike, any wager touching Serie A results from the 2024-25 season — from handicaps to championship odds to relegation battles — now rests on potentially tainted foundations. Napoli's Scudetto triumph may well be entirely legitimate. But questions will persist regardless.

The investigation continues. Italy's National Olympic Committee (CONI) has been formally requested to provide answers. Rocchi remains in his position for the time being.