Italy in chaos: Rocchi steps down as refereeing scandal escalates

Italian football is facing a serious new crisis. The situation around Gianluca Rocchi, head of referee delegations in Serie A and Serie B, has escalated rapidly after fresh allegations emerged about his role in appointing referees.

According to reports, Rocchi is under investigation over suspicions that he influenced referee selections in key matches, including games involving Inter. The case also includes fixtures from the Coppa Italia, which adds further weight to the accusations.

Faced with growing pressure, Rocchi has decided to step aside from his position. He insists he will defend himself and prove the allegations are unfounded, but the move confirms the seriousness of the situation.

The crisis deepened when VAR assistant Andrea Gervasoni also chose to temporarily withdraw from his duties. His decision has only added to the instability within the refereeing structure.

As a result, Italy currently has no active official responsible for appointing referees in its top two leagues. This has created an unprecedented and chaotic situation at a crucial stage of the season.

The scandal has already drawn comparisons with the Calciopoli affair in 2006, which left long-term damage on the reputation of Serie A. Each new development now increases concerns about the credibility of the competition.

There is also a notable contradiction in the case. Despite the accusations, Inter did not benefit from the matches under investigation. They lost against Bologna after a controversial goal by Riccardo Orsolini, and were also beaten 3-0 by AC Milan in the cup.

Another key element of the investigation relates to March 2025, during the match between Udinese and Parma. Reports claim that Rocchi approached the VAR room and requested a review, raising further doubts about possible interference in decision-making.

The investigation is ongoing, and the outcome could have major consequences for the future of refereeing in Italy.