Scandal rocks Italian refereeing

Italian media reports have revealed that Gianluca Rocchi, head of the referees' committee, is under formal investigation for alleged manipulation and fraud in sporting events. The suspicions reportedly revolve around Rocchi's involvement in influencing some Video Assistant Referee (VAR) decisions, raising questions about the integrity of several refereeing incidents in recent times. The reports indicate that the investigation, led by Milan prosecutor Maurizio Ascione, focuses primarily on incidents that occurred during the 2024-2025 season, reviewing a number of controversial plays. Among the most prominent cases being examined is the Udinese-Parma match on March 1, 2025, where VAR officials discussed the possibility of a handball in the penalty area in favor of Parma. The investigations also extended to other similar incidents, including an incident during the Inter-Verona match in the 2023-2024 season, which saw a tackle by defender Alessandro Bastoni against Ondrej Duda, in a moment that preceded a goal scored for Inter, amid doubts about the validity of the refereeing decision at the time.