The Milan Prosecutor’s Office is targeting alleged pressure on Var and Avar that occurred during the last two seasons. The designator declares himself extraneous and self-suspends. It all stems from the complaint of former assistant Domenico Rocca: the sports justice has closed the case, but now there is criminal relevance and could reopen it
The referee designator for Serie A and Serie B, Gianluca Rocchi, received a notice of warranty for “sports fraud competition”. According to what was learned by the Agi agency, the investigation was conducted by the Milanese public prosecutor Maurizio Ascione would be referring to the 2024-2025 championship and, in particular, to some episodes that occurred in the Var room in Lissone during the races. The designator would put pressure on Var and Avar. There are several matches that would be under the magnifying glass of the Prosecutor’s Office and the investigation is about to be closed. The designator of Can A and B has made it known that he is a stranger and that he will defend himself to dismantle any accusatory act that is once again in evidence. The it all started in May 2025 via a letter-complaint (sent to The Hague) by Domenico Rocca42 years old from Vibo Valentia, former assistant who played his last match in Serie A in Napoli-Fiorentina on 17 May 2024 and his last match in B on 9 May 2025 (Spezia-Cremonese). At a sporting level the complaint had been archived. Now at stake is the criminal relevance. but in the event of new elements the sporting investigation could also be reopened.
Udinese-Parma
On March 1, 2025, during Udinese-Parmathe three staff present in Lissone discuss a possible handball in the penalty area. “It doesn’t seem out of shape to me, look at the position of the arm, it seems to me to be on the body,” says the VAR Daniele Paterna which seems oriented towards excluding the assignment of the penalty. At a certain point, however, he suddenly turns around, looks back and from his lips you can clearly see that he says: “It’s a penalty”. The hypothesis is that the designator Gianluca Rocchi would have gotten up “quickly from his position, to “knock” several times on the glass of Paterna and Sozza’s room to draw their attention and who in turn will call the referee for an on field review”. Daniele Paterna was summoned by the prosecutor in recent months as a witness. His testimony was interrupted when, also in light of the video, the magistrate considered that he was not telling the truth and was informed that his position had been transformed into that of being investigated for perjury. The door to the Var must be closed, but it has a glass window through which you can communicate with those in the Var.
The prosecutor’s accusations
Rocchi will be heard in the Prosecutor’s Office next Thursday, April 30th. According to the prosecutors, he chose referees liked by Inter: the charges for the accusation made by prosecutor Maurizio Ascione. there are three having “arranged” the appointment of the referee Colombo for Bologna-Inter of 20 April 2024; having included match director Doveri in the semi-final of the Italian Cup to ensure that he could not be designated for the final; the alleged interference in Udinese-Parma when Paterna (at VAR) consults with someone through the transparent windows of the VAR room in Lissone and then invites referee Maresca onto the video. Bastoni’s foul against Duda in Inter-Verona would therefore not be included in the prosecution system when an “on field review” for match director Fabbri was not called by VAR Nasca.
Rocchi self-suspends
“This morning – Rocchi tells Ansa – I received a notice of investigation. I am sure that I have always acted correctly and I have full faith in the judiciary. Regarding today’s matter, in agreement with the Hague and for the good of the CAN group which must be able to operate with maximum serenity, I have decided to self-suspend, effective immediatelyfrom the role of CAN manager. This choice, painful, difficult but shared with my family – continues the arbitrator – aims to allow the judicial phase to proceed correctly, from which I am certain I will emerge unscathed and stronger than before. The great love for my association and the sense of responsibility for the role held lead me first of all to protect such an important group of athletes who I do not want to be influenced in any way by my events, waiting for news, which I hope will arrive as soon as possible to clarify my position”.
Gervasoni also under investigation
Also the supervisor Var Andrea Gervasoni is under investigation in “competition with other people” for sports fraud in the investigation by the Milan Prosecutor’s Office. The notice of guarantee states that “during the Salernitana-Modena match, with the awarding of the penalty kick in favor of the Emilian team by the match director Antonio Giuia, he urged and urged the VAR official Luigi Nasca to have him call Giuia back to the on field review for the purposes of the initial decision on the episode of play”. The facts date back to March 8, 2025. Gervasoni has decided to self-suspend.
Abodi’s intervention
The Minister for Sport Andrea Abodi expressed his opinion on the matter: “There is only one way to protect the sports system in all its aspects and respect the fans, enthusiasts and lovers of sport, starting with football: transparency, timeliness and equal treatment when dealing with cases of non-compliance with sporting rules, even more so when they have possible criminal implications. And do it always and with anyone!. Like all of you, I am reading the implications that are emerging from the investigation by the Milan Prosecutor’s Office, which started from the complaint of a former member of the Italian Referees Association. Leaving the task of carrying out its work to the judicial authorities and without wanting to go into the merits of the work of the Can Rocchi designatorthe most serious aspect that emerges is the way in which the complaint itself was handled within the football systemSo far, there has been no public response, just as we do not know who received the complaint and which body was responsible for the matter to verify its existence. I therefore expect to formally receive information on the matter from CONI as soon as possible. In the event that responsibilities are ascertained, there cannot fail to be consequences.”
