Referees investigation, news today with first interception: Rocchi’s words and Gervasoni’s defense

Referee investigation, accusations and suspects

The facts at the center of the investigation refer back to the past season: at the center there are some Serie A matches (Udinese-Parma and Bologna-Inter), the return semi-final of the Italian Cup Inter-Milan and Salernitana-Modena in Serie B. The investigators also want to see clearly about Inter-Verona in 2023-24: in particular for the episode of Bastoni’s elbow to Duda.

The spotlight also turned on one of the most controversial episodes of last season: the failure to give a penalty to Inter in the match against Roma, despite an obvious hold by Ndicka on Bisseck.

There are five certain suspects and others that would already be included in the documents of an investigation that is slowly expanding to the entire arbitration world: in addition to the designator Gianluca Rocchi and to the Var supervisor Andrea Gervasoni (both self-suspended from their respective roles), the assistant Daniele Paterna and two other assistants at the Var room, Rodolfo Di Vuolo and Luigi Nasca. The suspicion is that other VAR assistants are under investigation, but at the moment their identity remains a mystery, just as the mystery remains about the people “in competition” who would have, according to the charges, contributed to some ‘piloted’ referee designations of whistles that would have been appreciated by Inter.

Rocchi: “I am transparent with everyone”

Gianluca Rocchi was intercepted yesterday by the program Mediaset The Hyenas: “We only work in one way, so we don’t have big problems. I am transparent with everyone about everything. I always and exclusively work in only one way.” The designer also spoke of the work done on greater clarity of the VAR: “Total, but I have always done it, so it’s not like I have to promise you what I’m already doing.”

Referees investigation, Gervasoni interrogation yesterday

Yesterday was the day of the interrogation of Gervasoni (Gianluca Rocchi did not appear on the advice of his lawyer D’Avirrowho believes he does not have sufficient elements to build a defence: “I cannot bring a person into an interrogation without knowing what the elements of the accusation are. Tomorrow, when the investigations close, I will have the trial documents available, and at that point I will have a clear picture of the situation and therefore I will bring it to us). Gervasoni was listened to for four hours. “I have made myself available to the magistrate and I am now waiting. I gave all the answers I had to” he told reporters, leaving the ‘Silvio Novembre’ Guardia di Finanza barracks in via Oglio, reiterating that he had “respect for the work of magistrates”.

Prosecutor Ascione made Gervasoni listen to an interception between two referees who ‘bring up’ the self-suspended Var supervisor. The element presented ‘surprisingly’ in the interrogation suggests that the investigation also includes wiretaps.

Referee investigation, the Inter-Roma case

What did Gervasoni say? Michele Ducci, his lawyer, spoke like this at the end of the interrogation: “Come on Inter-Roma we clarified that no intervention was made on that occasion either. The images clarify this quite effectively. Audio Var tampered with? I exclude it 100%”. During that match, on 27 April 2025, the VAR room had not intervened on the penalty not awarded by the referee to the Nerazzurri for Ndicka’s foul on Bisseck. “A decision which in this case too is taken in 10-15 seconds, therefore there is no material time for someone to insist on having a different decision taken rather than another” added the lawyer. As for the audio from the VAR room “I haven’t listened to any audio of Inter-Romaso I don’t know what to say,” he added. (READ THE FULL ARTICLE)

The situation in The Hague

What fate awaits The Hague? In the next few days the Hague National Committee will meet to propose the dismissal of Antonio Zappi from the role of president and from any federal office (as expected in the event of exceeding the 12 months of inhibition). The FIGC Council will then have to ratify it and – without Zappi – the National Committee of the Italian Referees Association will have to meet to call elections within 90 days.

Tight deadlines, given that at the beginning of July the new commissions will have to be formed and the new president of The Hague would find himself with the new technical bodies defined by the previous governance. A situation which, in this context, could lead to the FIGC placing it under commissionership. At the moment, the deputy vice-president is at the helm of The Hague Francesco Massini.

Inter’s position

In this situation, what is Inter’s position? The Nerazzurri club and its managers are not under investigation. Furthermore, a few days ago, the president also spoke on the issue Giuseppe Marotta: “We have no liked or disliked referees – his words a Sky Sportbefore the championship match against Torino – we know we acted with the utmost correctness, this is the most important fact that must reassure everyone.” Under the spotlight, there is also an alleged meeting on referees who are liked and disliked by Inter. “Last year, I’m not saying this to complain, we objectively had adverse decisions, even clear ones, I’m referring for example to the Inter-Roma penalty. I’m calm, we are strangers and will be in the future. What if we expect someone to be listened to? I was very clear, I have nothing to add.”