Serie A Referee Rocchi Suspends Himself Amid Fraud Probe

Gianluca Rocchi, the chief referee of Serie A, has voluntarily suspended himself following an investigation into alleged sports fraud linked to Italian football. This decision comes as the Italian Referee Association confirmed that Rocchi, alongside Andrea Gervasoni, the video assistant referee supervisor, will step aside during the ongoing investigation.

The inquiry reportedly involves allegations of influence over referee selections and VAR decisions, particularly concerning a match where Inter Milan was involved, leading to scrutiny over a penalty decision during Udinese's 1-0 win against Parma in March 2024. Rocchi stated that his decision was made to protect the integrity of the refereeing system and to allow the judicial process to proceed smoothly.

He expressed hope for a swift resolution and emphasized the importance of maintaining the integrity of the refereeing body. The investigation is ongoing, with preliminary hearings scheduled for Thursday, and could carry significant legal ramifications, including potential prison sentences for those found guilty of sports fraud.