VAR decisions manipulated?
Italy is threatened with a violent referee scandal
April 26, 2026 – 11:55 a.mReading time: 2 minutes
Italian football is threatened with adversity. There are allegations of fraud against the referee boss.
The referee coordinator of the Italian Serie A and B, Gianluca Rocchi, is being investigated on suspicion of involvement in sports fraud. The 52-year-old Italian is said to have put pressure on referees and influenced VAR decisions. Several games from last season are to be reviewed.
Rocchi announced in a statement that he would be resigning from his position. He denied any involvement in illegal acts and said he was confident he would emerge unscathed and strengthened. The Italian Referees Association AIA announced that the person responsible for VAR, Andrea Gervasoni, has also temporarily suspended himself from his position.
Specifically, the allegations are about two games. Namely the Serie A matches between Udinese against Parma, which Udinese won thanks to a penalty, and Inter Milan against Hellas Verona, which Inter won 2-1. Rocchi is said to have influenced colleagues in a particular VAR center.
The Agi news agency published a video from the investigation. VAR referee Daniele Paterna can be seen in it. After a possible handball scene, he initially decides against a penalty. He then turns to a person and recommends that the referee in the stadium check the image. The referee then awarded a penalty.
The sports newspaper “Gazzetta dello Sport” also reported that there was a suspicion that Rocchi had chosen referees who were favorable to the Inter Milan club when making appointments. In a statement, Rocchi denied any involvement in illegal activities.
