Gianluca Rocchi, the official responsible for assigning referees in Italy's Serie A and Serie B, has temporarily stepped down after a probe into alleged sporting fraud was launched against him.
The former international referee is under investigation for 'complicity in sporting fraud' related to the 2024-25 season, according to Italian news agency AGI. A preliminary hearing is set for Thursday.
The Italian Referees Association (AIA) confirmed Rocchi's self-suspension in a statement, noting that video assistant referee supervisor Andrea Gervasoni has also stepped aside amid similar scrutiny.
Rocchi said: 'This painful and difficult decision, shared with my family, is intended to allow the judicial process to proceed smoothly, from which I am certain I will emerge unscathed and stronger than before.'
The 52-year-old added: 'My great love for my association and my sense of responsibility for the role I hold lead me, above all, to protect such an important group of athletes, whom I do not want to be affected in any way by my circumstances.'
According to reports, Rocchi is suspected of selecting a referee for an Inter Milan game because the official was 'liked by Inter'. In another match, a VAR official allegedly failed to intervene when an Inter player elbowed an opponent.
Rocchi is also accused of pressuring a VAR official to encourage an on-field review for a handball during Udinese's 1-0 win over Parma in March 2025. The referee and VAR had initially decided against a penalty but changed their minds, leading to Florian Thauvin scoring the winner.
Sporting fraud is a criminal offense in Italy, carrying a maximum sentence of six years in prison.