Investigation into referees: final round of interrogations, trial or dismissal?

The former referee designator Gianluca Rocchi and former AIA presidents Antonio Zappi and Alfredo Trentalange were heard in recent days as part of theinvestigation by the Milan Prosecutor’s Office. AGI learns this from qualified sources. It is the last part of the investigators’ activity, carried out in great secrecy after the open hearings at the Palace of Justice, who are evaluating whether to request thedismissal of charges or close the investigation with a view to trial.

Rocchi was heard for the first time after having chosen, last April 30, not to respond to the invitation to appear from prosecutor Maurizio Ascione. His lawyer, Antonio D’Avirro, had stated that he had deemed it appropriate not to appear before the magistrate because he had not had the opportunity to read in depth the papers in which he had been charged with the crime of sports fraud.

Rocchi’s defense on the San Siro case

In the interrogation, which lasted three-four hours, Rocchi, who self-suspended following the news of the investigation, defended himself against the accusation of having participated in an alleged agreement on 2 April 2025 at the San Siro stadium.

The prosecution hypothesized a plan to “combine” the designation of Andrea Colomboa referee deemed acceptable to Inter for a match against Bologna, and at the same time avoid Daniele Doveri refereeing a possible Italian Cup final and the Nerazzurri’s last matches in the 2024/2025 championship. The other strand of the investigation hypothesized the conditioning of Rocchi through the ‘knocks’ on the Var Room in the Udinese-Parma match to induce the Var Daniele Paterna, under investigation for perjury, to award a penalty.

The testimonies of the AIA leaders and the scenario of the prosecutors

Zappi, who lost his position as head of the referees’ association after the sentenced to 13 months of inhibition pronounced by the sporting justice system, he was heard as a witness for the second time after being heard in early May. Same witness role also for the former whistleblower and president of the AIA Trentalange.

In recent weeks, prosecutor Ascione has been supported, at the disposal of prosecutor Marcello Viola, by deputy prosecutor Paolo Ielo. In the confidentiality of the investigators, it the most likely scenario is that of archivingbut the discussion between those investigating is still ongoing and a synthesis will have to be found since there appears to be no identity of views among the magistrates.