Former Serie A Referee Head Freed After Being Accused of Influence
July 17, 2026 ·
Milan prosecutors have dropped a sports fraud case involving Gianluca Rocchi, the former head of Serie A referees, over allegations of influencing VAR decisions and referee appointments.
Former Head of Serie A Referees Released After Being Accused of Influence
According to Sports.
Background
Inter Milan, who finished the season one point behind Napoli, were not involved in the allegations against Rocchi. This is important for the club in the context of this season, where they are trying to compete at the top of the Serie A standings.
Why this is important
The dismissal of the case against Gianluca Rocchi, the former head of Serie A referees, removes uncertainty that could have affected the reputation of referees and the integrity of the Serie A competition. This decision also confirms that there is no systematic evidence involved in the manipulation of referee decisions, which is important to maintain public trust in the league.
Main Points
- Former Head of Serie A Referees Released After Being Accused of Influence.
- Milan prosecutors have dropped a sports fraud case involving Gianluca Rocchi, the former head of Serie A referees, over allegations of influencing VAR decisions and referee appointments.
- Inter Milan feature in the latest Serie A developments.
Milan prosecutors have officially dropped the sports fraud case involving Gianluca Rocchi, former head of referees for Serie A and Serie B, and his deputy, Andrea Gervasoni. This decision was taken after an investigation began in April regarding allegations of influencing VAR decisions and manipulation of referee appointments.
On Wednesday, the Milan Prosecutor's Office stated that they had found "no evidence of the existence of a structured system aimed at interfering with the appointment of referees." Rocchi is accused of being involved in several incidents during the 2024-25 season, including allegedly changing the referee for an Inter Milan match to one more favorable to the club. Inter Milan, who finished the competition one point clear of Serie A champions Napoli, were not involved in the allegations.
Further allegations focus on Rocchi allegedly interfering with VAR protocols during the Serie A match between Udinese and Parma on March 1 2025. He is accused of tapping on the VAR room window and recommending an on-field review for a penalty. Documents related to this incident have been handed over to the Monza Prosecutor's Office, as the VAR operations room falls under their jurisdiction.
During the investigation process, Rocchi resigned from his position, and his position was taken over by Dino Tommasi and then Daniele Orsato. Rocchi's lawyer, Antonio D'Avirro, stated that his client was very happy with this decision. D'Avirro added, "I have spoken to him and he is very satisfied; now we will consider the next steps. I am meeting with him tomorrow to discuss the matter in detail."
D'Avirro also explained, "Fortunately, the situation was resolved quickly, although the price Rocchi had to pay was quite high. I don't see how the knock could be considered sports fraud; it was intended to correct a serious error by the referee, not to change the outcome of the match. From a legal point of view, I don't see how a case of sports fraud can be built."
Meanwhile, Inter Milan won the Serie A title last year, ending the competition with a nine-point lead over Napoli under manager Cristian Chivu. However, they were forced to be eliminated from the Champions League play-off round by the Norwegian team, Bodø/Glimt. The 2026-27 Serie A season is planned to start on August 23 and end on May 30 2027, with Inter looking to defend their title, while their rivals, Napoli and AC Milan, now have new coaches.
What happened next
With Rocchi no longer involved, attention now turns to how Serie A will manage referee appointments and VAR going forward. The league is expected to strengthen protocols and transparency in refereeing decisions, especially ahead of important matches this season.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened to the former head of Serie A referees, Gianluca Rocchi?
Milan prosecutors have dropped the sports fraud case involving Gianluca Rocchi after finding no evidence of a structured system influencing referee decisions.
How will this case impact Inter Milan and Napoli?
Inter Milan was not involved in the allegations and finished the competition one point behind Serie A champions Napoli.
What is Gianluca Rocchi accused of regarding VAR?
Rocchi was accused of disrupting VAR protocols during the match between Udinese and Parma by recommending an on-field review for a penalty.
Who will replace Gianluca Rocchi after his resignation?
After Rocchi's resignation, his position was taken over by Dino Tommasi and then Daniele Orsato.
Are any upcoming matches affected by this case?
This article does not mention any future matches affected by this case.