FIGC Prosecutor Giuseppe Chine has released a statement addressing the recent allegations brought against refereeing designator Gianluca Rocchi, who has been placed under investigation after accusations of influencing VAR decisions and altering the selection of ‘favourable’ and ‘unfavourable’ referees.
A new refereeing scandal erupted in Italy on Saturday when it was reported that Rocchi had been placed under investigation after a complaint was raised by former assistant referee, Domenico Rocca back in May 2025. The complaint was originally archived, but the issue has now been dug up with concerns that there is criminal relevance.
Rocchi reportedly received notice of an investigation on Friday (April 24), for his alleged participation in sporting fraud. Rocchi has confirmed that he will be stepping aside from his role pending the results of the investigation.
Reports in Italy claim that Rocchi interfered with VAR protocols during a Serie A match between Udinese and Parma on March 1, 2025, by banging on the window of the VAR booth and recommending that the officials call for an on-field review for a penalty. There have also been suggestions that Rocchi assigned referee Andrea Colombo for the Bologna vs. Inter match on April 20, 2025 instead of Daniele Doveri, who was originally meant to take charge of the match.
MILAN, ITALY – MARCH 08: Referee Daniele Doveri shows the yellow card to Alessandro Bastoni of Inter during the Serie A match between AC Milan and FC Internazionale at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on March 08, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
Investigators are also said to be examining an incident involving Inter’s Alessandro Bastoni, who got away with an elbow on Ondrej Duda in the build-up to a Nerazzurri goal in their victory over Hellas Verona during their title-winning 2023-24 season.
What FIGC Prosecutor Chine says about ongoing Rocchi investigation
FIGC Prosecutor Chine, who rarely speaks publicly, has since decided to release a statement clarifying a few issues in relation to Rocchi and the ongoing investigations. He claims that some of the incidents that have been reported in the Italian press are ‘untruthful’.
Chine has admitted that his office carried out an investigation into allegations that Rocchi influenced a decision in the VAR booth in the Udinese vs. Parma match last season, but says that this was the only complaint brought forwards and that the matter was later closed. He made no mention of Inter specifically, but confirmed that he will start, or reopen an investigation should new information come to light.
FLORENCE, ITALY – MAY 23: Gianluca Rocchi former Italian referee and referee designator for the Serie A and Serie B championships during the FIGC Hall of Fame Event on May 23, 2022 in Florence, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)
“Since some press outlets have been spreading untruthful news, with no adherence to the real version of events over the last few hours, I would like to confirm that on May 21, 2025, I received only the complaint signed by the assistant referee Domenico Rossa on the alleged intervention in the VAR booth by designator Rocchi during the Udinese-Parma match,” Chine’s statement read (via La Gazzetta dello Sport).
“Following this complaint, in full compliance with the code of sporting justice, a sporting investigation was immediately opened, hearing all those involved and all those with possible knowledge of the facts alleged by the accuser.
“As a result of these investigative acts and the testimonies given by those present, no disciplinary conduct was brought against any member of the AIA (Italian referees’ association). As is expressed in the current code of sporting justice, the prosecutor’s office therefore proposed to the general prosecutor’s office for sport at CONI for the disciplinary proceedings to be dismissed in July 2025.
ROME, ITALY – DECEMBER 15: CONI President Giovanni Malago’ attends the Italian Olympic Commitee ‘Collari d’Oro’ Awards ceremony on December 15, 2015 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)
“Given the investigation that was carried out and given the content of the statements made by the subjects that were audited, this proposal was agreed by the general prosecutor’s office for sport.
“With regard to any new facts that may require sporting disciplinary measures, which the public prosecutor’s office in Milan is dealing with, I can confirm that I am already in contact with the investigative bodies in charge of the criminal proceedings and that I have already taken steps, as of yesterday, to formally request, where possible, the documents relating to the acts of the criminal investigation and will start and possibly reopen (an investigation) if there are new and decisive pieces of evidence.”