Italian football scandal: referees, not players, in milan probe
The swirling chaos surrounding Italian football’s integrity took an unexpected turn this week, with investigators in Milan focusing their scrutiny not on players or club executives, but squarely on the world of referees. Initial confusion – a collective head-scratching across Serie A – has given way to a clearer, albeit unsettling, picture: Gianluca Rocchi, the former designator, and four other officials are now at the center of a fraud investigation.
The core allegation: selecting 'favorable' referees
The accusation, as it stands, revolves around allegations that Rocchi steered referee assignments to favor Inter Milan. Prosecutors allege that decisions were made to select referees deemed ‘amenable’ to the Nerazzurri’s interests. Two matches are currently under the microscope: Bologna-Inter, officiated by Colombo, and Inter-Milan in the Coppa Italia, handled by Doveri. The theory being advanced is that Doveri, considered less favorable to Inter, was strategically assigned the Coppa Italia semifinal to avoid a potential clash in the final or crucial league games.
But here’s the rub: proving intent – demonstrating that these choices directly influenced match outcomes – will be the crucial battleground in the coming months. The investigation, already stretching nearly 18 months, is far from over, with more interceptions and testimonies likely to surface.
Crucially, Inter Milan itself is not implicated. Sources within the Milan public prosecutor’s office have confirmed that no players or club officials are currently under investigation for alleged sports fraud.
Who's involved beyond rocchi?
Beyond Rocchi, the probe has identified four other individuals within the officiating hierarchy. Andrea Gervasoni, Rocchi’s deputy, and referees Luigi Nasca (VAR in Salernitana-Modena and Inter-Verona) and Rodolfo Di Vuolo (AVAR in Inter-Verona) face accusations of “concorso in frode sportiva” – involvement in sports fraud. The most intriguing case involves Daniele Paterna, the VAR in Udinese-Parma. Paterna is accused of perjury after reportedly misleading prosecutors during questioning, allegedly regarding a crucial incident in the Inter-Verona match – a Bastoni elbow to Duda that wasn’t reviewed. The video evidence, showing Paterna seemingly gesturing towards Rocchi in the VAR room, only deepens the mystery.
Thirty referees and officials have reportedly been interviewed by prosecutors, painting a complex picture of the inner workings of Italian arbitration. The acquisition of expense reports and taxi records from the VAR center in Lissone further illustrates the breadth of the investigation.
A timeline of twists and turns
The investigation’s roots trace back to a January 2024 complaint filed by Michele Croce, a former mayoral candidate, regarding the lack of VAR intervention in the aforementioned Inter-Verona incident. While the complaint itself might not have triggered the full-scale probe, it undoubtedly contributed to the growing scrutiny. Now, with Rocchi and Gervasoni scheduled to be questioned by prosecutor Ascione on Thursday, the pressure mounts. Rocchi is expected to remain tight-lipped, potentially offering only a prepared statement, while Gervasoni’s legal team has indicated a willingness to cooperate.
The timing is particularly galling, considering the initial optimism surrounding Italy’s prospects in the World Cup just months ago. Instead of debating tactical formations against Canada, the nation is grappling with allegations of corruption at the highest levels of its football administration.
The coming weeks and months promise to be pivotal as prosecutor Ascione aims to finalize the investigation by June or July. The reverberations of this scandal are sure to be felt throughout Italian football for years to come.