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AIA chief Gianluca Rocchi (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)
The latest updates claim that the referees heard by the public prosecutor’s office in Milan were aware of the controversial nature of the selections made by suspended referee designator Gianluca Rocchi in an alleged meeting in San Siro on April 2, 2025.
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Report: Referees were aware of Rocchi’s controversial decisions
Rocchi is currently under investigation for alleged sporting fraud following suggestions that he influenced VAR decisions in certain league matches and appointed referees liked by Inter and avoided appointing those that were ‘unfavourable’ to the Nerazzurri towards the end of last season.
Rocchi is alleged to have attended a meeting in San Siro on April 2, 2025, on the day of the Coppa Italia semi-final first leg between Milan and Inter.
During that meeting, it is claimed that Rocchi decided to appoint referee Andrea Colombo for Inter’s Serie A match against Bologna on April 20, 2025, as Colombo was considered a ‘favourable’ referee for the Nerazzurri.
Additionally, Rocchi is said to have appointed Daniele Doveri for the Coppa Italia semi-final second leg between Inter and Milan, which would have made him ineligible to referee the final, even though Inter did not end up qualifying anyway. Doveri is among the referees considered ‘unfavourable’ for Inter.
Representatives from Inter have strongly denied these allegations, and several outlets inItaly report that Rocchi spoke exclusively to individuals involved in the refereeing world, and not from Inter circles.
According to the latest updates from La Gazzetta dello Sport, the other referees that have been heard by the public prosecutor’s office in Milan as part of the investigation into the refereeing scandal have ‘confirmed’ that they were aware of the controversial refereeing selections made by Rocchi this time last year, and that there was a general awareness of the situation among top-level officials.
Rocchi has an opportunity to report for questioning by the prosecutor’s office in Milan on Thursday, April 20, but Wednesday’s reports indicate that he has been advised against doing so by his lawyer, who claims that he does not have sufficient information to prepare an adequate defence.
As things stand, there are five individuals under investigation, all of whom are tied to the refereeing association, and none with direct links to clubs, i.e. no players, coaches or directors.
ByPeter Young
Peter Young is a Senior Reporter with Football Italia.
