Italian soccer rocked by another refereeing scandal as Rocchi faces fraud probe

VAR fraud – Gianluca Rocchi faces a criminal fraud probe over alleged VAR interference, piling pressure on Italian soccer after another World Cup failure.

MILAN — Italian soccer is again under a cloud, with another refereeing scandal breaking just as criticism over the national team’s latest World Cup miss refuses to fade.

Gianluca Rocchi, head of referees in Serie A and Serie B, has been placed under criminal investigation for alleged sports fraud and is scheduled to appear in court in Milan on Thursday. Rocchi, the focus of the latest storm around VAR integrity, has stepped away from his role while events develop.

Alongside Rocchi, VAR supervisor Andrea Gervasoni is also being investigated.. The central allegation is not simply that errors were made. but that match control may have been influenced—raising the most sensitive question for any league: whether decisions were handled according to protocol. or nudged in ways that could affect outcomes.

Serie A president Ezio Simonelli moved quickly to frame the response. emphasizing the league’s duty to protect transparency and equal treatment.. In a statement. Simonelli said it is the job of competent bodies to clarify what happened. and that if a mistake occurred. responsibility must follow.. At the same time. he warned against letting an investigation alone undermine the credibility of the overall system and the regularity of the championship.

The case centres on incidents said to have occurred during the 2024-25 season.. Italian media reports that Rocchi allegedly interfered with VAR procedures during a Serie A match between Udinese and Parma on March 1. 2025.. The claim is specific: Rocchi allegedly banged on the window of the VAR booth and suggested officials should call for an on-field review of a penalty.

There are also allegations related to referee selection.. Reports suggest Rocchi’s influence over appointments may be under scrutiny. including claims that an official chosen for an Inter Milan match was altered in a way that favoured the Nerazzurri.. Inter, for its part, is not alleged to be implicated in the matter.

The scandal lands in a wider moment of instability for Italian football.. The men’s national team has now failed to qualify for a third straight World Cup. and that disappointment has already driven major upheaval inside Italian football’s leadership.. Earlier this month. FIGC president Gabriele Gravina and coach Gennaro Gattuso resigned. a sign of how deep the dissatisfaction has run.

This latest refereeing probe threatens to widen the gap between fans’ expectations and the competition’s perceived fairness.. When football is already under pressure—tactically, emotionally, and institutionally—controversies around officiating do more than stir debate on matchday.. They can shape season-long narratives, influence trust in results, and turn every contentious decision into an argument about intent.

The FIGC previously investigated the Rocchi VAR-incident complaint but dismissed disciplinary proceedings in July. meaning the issue did not end with a formal sanction at that time.. Now. the criminal investigation has revived attention. and FIGC prosecutor Giuseppe Chiné said he is in contact with Milan’s public prosecutor’s office.. He added that the FIGC will reconsider reopening its own investigation if new evidence emerges.

For Misryoum readers, the immediate takeaway is clear: Italian soccer’s crisis is no longer confined to performance alone.. It is also about governance. procedures. and the kind of confidence fans expect when technology like VAR is supposed to reduce subjectivity.. If allegations are confirmed. the consequences could go well beyond a single season’s headlines—possibly reshaping how referees. VAR supervision. and appointment decisions are managed going forward.