Refereeing chief Gianluca Rocchi is reportedly under investigation for sporting fraud, with accusations suggesting he may have unfairly favored Inter Milan in his referee selections for the 2024-25 season. However, recent reports indicate that Inter is not expected to issue any immediate public statements on the matter.
The latest controversy in Serie A unfolded on Saturday with the announcement of Rocchi’s investigation. Italian media outlets have suggested that Rocchi allegedly intervened to remove referee Daniele Doveri from the Bologna vs. Inter match on April 20, 2025, as Doveri was not perceived as a favorable official for Inter. Instead, Andrea Colombo was assigned to the game, and Doveri was reportedly rescheduled for the Inter vs. Milan Coppa Italia semi-final second leg a few days later.
It is claimed that Rocchi made this decision while attending the first leg of the Coppa Italia semi-final at San Siro on April 2, purportedly agreeing to remove Doveri from matches deemed crucial for Inter.
Further allegations against Rocchi include claims that he influenced a VAR decision by banging on the VAR booth window during an Udinese vs. Parma match on March 1, 2025, urging for a penalty review.
How has Inter reacted to Rocchi’s fraud allegations?
According to reports from La Gazzetta dello Sport, Inter Milan has expressed perplexity regarding the allegations against Rocchi. The club’s senior management convened on Saturday to discuss the situation and its potential impact on the team. However, the publication states that they decided against releasing a formal statement and are not expected to address the media on Sunday, believing it is not the opportune moment to comment without a full understanding of the facts.
Internally, Inter is reportedly dismayed by the developing scandal. Despite this, the club aims to maintain composure and keep its players focused on competing for the 2025-26 Scudetto. Inter is also said to be frustrated by the re-emergence of past incidents involving player Alessandro Bastoni, such as his elbow on Hellas Verona’s Ondrej Duda in a match on January 6, 2024.
The club also reportedly harbors doubts about the specifics of the allegations, particularly the claim that Rocchi decided to remove Doveri from Inter’s matches during a matchday at the Stadio Meazza on April 2, 2025. Inter questions the practicality of a clandestine meeting occurring in such a public setting.
Furthermore, Inter is keen to highlight that the reported decision to exclude Doveri from their crucial Serie A fixture against Bologna did not ultimately benefit the team, as they lost the match 1-0 with a different referee officiating. They also question the logic of appointing Doveri to a significant Coppa Italia semi-final second leg if he was meant to be excluded from Inter’s most important games.
