Milan Prosecutors Investigate Italy’s Refereeing Chief Over Alleged VAR Fraud

Overview

• Prosecutors in Milan opened a criminal inquiry into Gianluca Rocchi for suspected sports fraud linked to video review decisions in Serie A and Serie B, led by Maurizio Ascione.
• The Udinese 1–0 win over Parma in March 2025 is a focal case after footage from the Lissone VAR center appeared to show VAR lead Daniele Paterna change course following contact with someone outside the room.
• Investigators believe the contact coincided with a knock on the VAR room’s glass door attributed to Rocchi, who oversees referee appointments for Italy’s top two leagues.
• The case stems from a May 2025 whistleblower letter by former assistant referee Domenico Rocca, which was initially archived before the inquiry advanced this month.
• Record reports that prosecutors are also examining referee assignments said to favor Inter, naming Bologna–Inter on April 20, 2025, and the Coppa Italia semifinal second leg against AC Milan, even though Inter lost both matches.