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MILAN, ITALY – DECEMBER 04: Gianluca Rocchi and Daniele Orsato receive the AIC Oscar del Calcio Awards on December 04, 2023 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Pier Marco Tacca/Getty Images )
Italy’s ongoing refereeing scandal is beginning to cast a wider shadow across the football pyramid, with fresh controversy now emerging in Serie C involving former top-flight referee Daniele Orsato.
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According to reports from arbitiri.com, via CalcioMercato, a formal complaint has been submitted to the FIGC Federal Prosecutor following the Serie C clash between Ascoli and Vis Pesaro on April 4. The focus of the complaint is Orsato, currently serving as the league’s official designator, and an alleged post-match phone call made to the officiating team.
The concern centres on the manner of that communication. Orsato is said to have contacted referee Giorgio Di Cicco after the game, with the call placed on loudspeaker in the presence of other match officials and observers. Critics argue that such a scenario could potentially influence how the referee’s performance is assessed, raising questions about impartiality and evaluation processes.
Complaint filed but no evidence of malintent from ex-Serie A referee Orsato
There is, however, an alternative and more benign interpretation. It is suggested that Orsato simply wished to congratulate the referee and his team for their display, asking for the call to be shared so the praise could be delivered collectively. Whether the intent was harmless or inappropriate will likely be determined by any investigation that follows.
This latest development comes at a delicate moment for Italian football, as scrutiny intensifies around refereeing structures in the wake of the high-profile case involving Serie A and B designator Gianluca Rocchi. While the situations are separate, the timing inevitably fuels broader concerns about governance, transparency, and consistency within officiating bodies.
As the FIGC continues to assess multiple issues across different levels of the game, the outcome of this complaint could prove significant in shaping trust and accountability within Italy’s refereeing system.
