FIGC drops probe into Gianluca Rocchi over alleged VAR interference

On Thursday the Prosecutor’s Office of the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) filed away the investigations into Gianluca Rocchi, the former Serie A arbitration chief accused of pressuring the video‑assistant referee (VAR) operation. The decision came after a favourable opinion from the Prosecutor‑General of the Italian National Olympic Committee (CONI).

Investigation details and co‑accused

The inquiry had focused on the 2024/25 season, examining whether Rocchi tried to influence VAR decisions at the monitoring centre in Lissone, near Milan. Phone‑tap recordings were also reviewed for conversations about which referees should not be appointed to matches involving the nerazzurri, with the claim that certain officials were being restricted by the club.

Rocchi was not the sole subject; the probe linked him to former VAR supervisor Andrea Gervasoni and ex‑video operators Luigi Nasca and Rodolfo Di Vuolo, all suspected of involvement in sports‑related fraud. A photograph accompanying the report credited ANSA / Ansa – Brazil.

Because of the proceedings, Rocchi had stepped away from his role overseeing Italian arbitration. The filing effectively ends that suspension.

The case’s closure was confirmed by the FIGC’s legal team, who cited the CONI prosecutor’s supportive assessment as the basis for dropping the matter.

No further legal action has been announced, and the federation has not indicated any additional sanctions for the individuals named.