Italy referees chief Gianluca Rocchi suspends self amid sporting fraud probe
The man in charge of referees selection in Italy’s top flight leagues, Gianluca Rocchi, has placed himself under immediate suspension over allegations of involvement in sporting fraud.
The suspension of the National Referees Commission’s referee designator for Serie A and Serie B was confirmed in a statement by the Italian Referees Association (AIA).
“This painful and difficult decision, shared with my family, is intended to allow the judicial process to proceed smoothly, from which I am certain I will emerge unscathed and stronger than before,” the statement read.
It added, “My great love for my association and my sense of responsibility for the role I hold lead me, above all, to protect such an important group of athletes, whom I do not want to be affected in any way by my circumstances. I await further developments, which I hope will arrive soon to clarify my position.”
According to Italian news agency AIG, the decision by Mr Rocchi to suspend himself came after the Milan Public Prosecutor’s Office served him a formal notice of investigation on Friday evening.
Reports noted that the suspect was being investigated for alleged manipulation of officiating decisions in several games during the 2024/25 season, including selection of a referee for an Inter Milan game as he was “liked by Inter.”
Rocchi is also accused of reportedly putting pressure on a VAR official to encourage a referee to check on the pitchside monitor for a handball offence during Udinese’s 1-0 win over Parma in March last year.
The referee and VAR official later overturned their decision and awarded a penalty, which Florian Thauvin later scored as the only goal of the game.
Additionally, AIG reported that VAR supervisor Andrea Gervasoni is also under investigation for “complicity with other individuals” for sports fraud.
We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.
More from Peoples Gazette
Agriculture
FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology
The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices
Politics
Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku
“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”
Africa
Envoy pledges robust engagement, collaboration between Nigeria, Benin
“We want to see better integration of our peoples and enhanced collaboration in terms of commerce that will facilitate trade across the borders,” she said.
NationWide
Lawmaker backs legislative bill on femicide
The bill seeks to prevent femicide in the country.
Lagos
Residents count losses as floods destroy homes, businesses in Lagos communities
Lagos residents count losses as rain floods homes across several communities in the state.
Lagos
Lagos police nab suspect over alleged N3 billion cyber fraud
Mr Ewhubare said the suspect was apprehended following an extensive investigation into a sophisticated cyber intrusion targeting a financial institution.
Africa
Xenophobia: Uganda repatriates 1,102 citizens from South Africa
The Ugandan embassy said, “The arrival marks the successful conclusion of phase one of the government of Uganda’s voluntary repatriation exercise.”
NationWide
CSOs urge assessment of National Assembly’s proposed electoral college for women legislators
“The proposal is unfamiliar to many stakeholders and understandably raises concerns, but we must carefully interrogate it instead of dismissing it outright,” he said.
