The investigation into Gianluca Rocchi, who was suspected of sports fraud, will probably be closed due to lack of evidence, after months of investigations and changes in charges.

Arbitration scandal has cooled down, investigation into Rocchi should be done

The scandal involving referee Gianluca Rocchi, who was accused of sports fraud, appears to be coming to an end. The investigation, which began on April 25, is being considered for shelving due to a lack of concrete evidence. Rocchi, who serves as referee designator, was the target of investigations led by Milan prosecutor Maurizio Ascione, focusing mainly on incidents that occurred in the 2024-25 season. The problems began when accusations emerged that Rocchi had influenced the choice of referees, preferring those who were 'liked' by certain clubs. One of the most serious allegations was that he had knocked on the window of the VAR booth in Lissone, near Milan, to influence decisions in real time. However, after months of interviews and collection of statements, the preliminary conclusion is that the evidence is insufficient to continue the case. ![Image](https://s.yimg.com/lo/mysterio/api/39b9a01f5baa6736198c8c9b6922a2b1f8ec0910880d7fd9518429c872ae4a57/lightyear_networkapi/resi zefill_w1200;quality_80;format_webp/https:%2F%2Fmedia.zenfs.com%2Fen%2Ffootball_italia_articles_132%2F51899ab1bd5fdea6fd3933e115c2ed5e) According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Rocchi initially chose not to answer investigators' questions. However, in a new call a few days ago, he was willing to speak for four hours. After this statement, the accusations changed. The accusation that he had hit the VAR window was discarded, as this would have been a breach of protocol. What still persists are allegations that Rocchi avoided appointing certain referees who were not to Inter's liking, preferring others who were better regarded by the club. These supposed preferences extended into the 2025-26 season, when Rocchi assigned Maurizio Mariani to a game between Torino and Inter in April 2026, as the Scudetto was decided. Another controversial appointment was that of Gianluca Manganiello for the Inter-Verona match in May 2025, because the club had no sympathy for the alternative referee, Simone Sozza. However, the central problem lies in the fact that Rocchi's communications were not with Inter representatives, but rather with other members of the refereeing community who expressed the club's concerns about certain referees. Without evidence of direct collusion with Inter, it is increasingly difficult to move forward with the case, especially as the club and its representatives are not under investigation. Therefore, the expectation is that the investigation into Gianluca Rocchi will be shelved soon, ending a controversial chapter in Italian football.

Frequently asked questions

What is the status of the investigation into Gianluca Rocchi?

The investigation into Gianluca Rocchi is being considered for shelving due to a lack of concrete evidence.

When did the investigation into referee Rocchi begin?

The investigation began on April 25.

What were the main allegations against Gianluca Rocchi?

The main allegations were that Rocchi had influenced the choice of referees and knocked on the window of the VAR booth to influence decisions.

What happened to the accusation that Rocchi had knocked on the VAR window?

This charge was dropped as it would be a breach of protocol.

Which clubs were involved in theallegations against Rocchi?

The allegations mentioned Rocchi's preferences in relation to Inter and the appointment of referees who were better regarded by the club.

Read more in our latest coverage and stay tuned for updates on what happens next.