Serie A referee chief Gianluca Rocchi is under investigation for suspected sports fraud, with a video suggesting he influenced VAR decisions. This scandal involves Rocchi and VAR supervisor Andrea Gervasoni.
Mentioned in this story
The video that landed referee chief Rocchi in hot water: ‘Is that a penalty?’
Serie A referee chief Gianluca Rocchi is under investigation for suspected sports fraud, and investigators believe a video proves the 52-year-old influenced VAR decisions during games.
Italian football is being shaken by another referee scandal involving referee designator Rocchi and VAR supervisor Andrea Gervasoni.
AIA chief Gianluca Rocchi (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)
Rocchi will be heard in the Milan Prosecutor’s office on April 30, as he’s accused, among other things, of having influenced VAR decisions during matches.
A video from March 1, 2025, shows VAR official Daniele Paterna reviewing a potential handball incident inside Parma’s box during their away match against Udinese.
Paterna seems reluctant to impose a penalty because, he says, the Parma player’s arm didn’t make his body unnaturally bigger.
Gianluca Rocchi is being investigated for suspected sports fraud related to influencing VAR decisions during Serie A games.
VAR supervisor Andrea Gervasoni is also implicated in the referee scandal involving Gianluca Rocchi.
Investigators are examining a video that allegedly shows Gianluca Rocchi influencing VAR decisions.
Everton faces Chelsea and London City Lionesses take on Leicester in the WSL today at 12pm. Both matches will be available for free streaming.
¡Sawe hace historia al bajar de las dos horas en el maratón de Londres!
See every story in Sports — including breaking news and analysis.
PISA, ITALY – MARCH 2: General view of the VAR monitor inside the Arena Garibaldi stadium in Pisa during the Serie A match between Pisa SC and Bologna FC 1909 at Arena Garibaldi on March 2, 2026 in Pisa, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)
However, at some point, Paterna suddenly turns to his right and asks, ‘Is that a penalty?’
According to investigators, Paterna turned towards Rocchi, who had knocked on the VAR officials’ door to say a pitchside review was needed.
This would violate VAR regulations, as decisions can only be made by the three VAR officials and the on-field referee without external influence.
Rocchi has now suspended himself, saying that he’s confident he’ll emerge “stronger than before.”
Rocchi is also accused of having chosen referees favoured by Inter during the 2024-25 campaign.
Ve soruşturmanın merkezindeki görüntü. Videonun 50’nci saniyesinde görüldüğü üzere Paterna arkasına dönüp birine “Penaltı mı?” diye soruyor. https://t.co/2hP69rI1hu pic.twitter.com/dUiTNhJbDl