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Milan Prosecutors Open Formal Probe Into Referee Chief Gianluca Rocchi for Suspected Sports Fraud

The inquiry centers on alleged interference in the VAR room with implications for referee oversight.

Overview

  • Rocchi received a formal notice of investigation Friday, according to Italian outlets, placing him under inquiry for “concorso in frode sportiva.”
  • Prosecutor Maurizio Ascione in Milan is examining the 2024–25 season for alleged pressure on video officials inside the Lissone VAR hub.
  • A key video from Udinese–Parma on March 1, 2025 shows VAR official Daniele Paterna shifting from no penalty to “it’s a penalty” before advising an on‑field review, with a complaint alleging the designator knocked on the VAR room glass.
  • Investigators also cite InterVerona in January 2024, focusing on an elbow by Alessandro Bastoni and the VAR’s alleged failure to call an on‑field review before a decisive goal was confirmed.
  • One VAR official, Paterna, moved from witness to suspect for alleged false testimony, while earlier AIA rule changes ordered written reports for any visits to Lissone; several matches are under review and no court finding has been made.