Gianluca Rocchi, the official responsible for appointing referees in Serie A and Serie B, suspended himself from his duties on Sunday. The decision follows reports that Rocchi is under investigation by prosecutors in Milan for alleged sporting fraud, according to Reuters. The probe reportedly involves irregularities in refereeing assignments and conduct within the Italian football league system.
The Italian Referees' Association (AIA) confirmed Rocchi's self-suspension in a brief statement released today. It stated that the 52-year-old official chose to step aside to allow the investigation to proceed without distraction. Rocchi has served as the designator for Italy's top two divisions since his appointment in 2021, per Sky Sports.
No formal charges have been brought against Rocchi at this stage. The Italian Football Federation (FIGC) is monitoring the situation but has not yet commented on a potential permanent successor for the role. Rocchi previously enjoyed a distinguished career as a match official, overseeing several high-profile international fixtures and major tournament finals before moving into administration.
