Gianluca Rocchi, an Italian Referees Association official has suspended himself following an investigation into alleged sporting fraud.
Italian news agency AGI reported that the former referee is under investigation for what sporting fraud in the 2024-2025 season as it regards assigning referees to games and use of VAR.
The Milan Public Prosecutor’s office has launched an investigation into allegations of fraud against him. Andrea Gervasoni, the video assistant referee supervisor for Italy’s top who divisions also suspended himself following investigations.
“This painful and difficult decision, shared with my family, is intended to allow the judicial process to proceed smoothly, from which I am certain I will emerge unscathed and stronger than before,” Rocchi said.
“My great love for my association and my sense of responsibility for the role I hold lead me, above all, to protect such an important group of athletes, whom I do not want to be affected in any way by my circumstances.
“I await further developments, which I hope will arrive soon to clarify my position,” he concluded.
It is alleged that Rocchi, who is in charge of assigning referees to games, selected a particular referee for an Inter Milan game and decisions in the game were questionable.
He is also accused of pressuring a VAR official to encourage a referee to check on the pitchside monitor for a handball offense during Udinese’s 1-0 win over Parma in March last year.
