A new Calciopoli? Italian football rocked by major refereeing scandal
Jan Novak
Dailysports's expert
Italy is in the grip of a major refereeing scandal centered around head referee Gianluca Rocchi, who is under investigation on charges of sporting fraud. New details emerging from the case point to possible manipulation of referee appointments and VAR decisions to benefit certain clubs.
According to Gazzetta dello Sport, the investigation pertains to events during the 2024/25 season. In particular, authorities are examining episodes related to referee selections for matches involving Inter.
Reports suggest investigators are considering whether Rocchi attempted to influence the appointment of Andrea Colombo for the Bologna vs Inter match on April 20, 2025. Sources indicate the Milan club was dissatisfied with the possible appointment of Daniele Doveri. It is also alleged that Rocchi, together with other refereeing officials, took part in discussions during which Doveri was deliberately excluded from high-stakes matches involving Inter.
A separate incident concerns the Serie A clash between Udinese and Parma (1-0), played on March 1, 2025. Investigators believe Rocchi may have pressured VAR staff, knocking on the booth and insisting on a review of a possible penalty incident. After a video review, a penalty kick was ultimately awarded.
Another episode under scrutiny involves the Inter vs Verona match, which also raised questions about VAR operations and subsequent disciplinary decisions. The investigation is ongoing, and its outcome could have serious repercussions for the structure of Italian refereeing and the entire system of referee appointments in Serie A.
