Referee investigation: Prosecutors will interview Lega Calcio officials and Inter Milan's refereeing officer.

The Milan Prosecutor's Office's investigation into alleged irregularities in the Italian refereeing system is expanding, placing the spotlight on sports institutions. In the coming days, magistrates will hear witnesses from several representatives of the Italian Football League, including representatives of various clubs.

The case, which alleges complicity in sports fraud, is being coordinated by prosecutor Maurizio Ascione, under the supervision of prosecutor Marcello Viola. The aim is to shed light on alleged external interference within the Lissone VAR room, a scenario that has already led to the self-suspension of referee designator Gianluca Rocchi.

The search for the counterpart

The crux of the investigation revolves around identifying the so-called "advantage." Sports fraud legislation penalizes anyone who accepts money or other benefits to fix a competition, but the prosecution's case currently lacks a piece. While continuously gathering testimony regarding alleged benefits to Inter, investigators are seeking concrete evidence certifying the benefit obtained by the suspects.

One hypothesis under consideration, yet to be legally confirmed, is that Rocchi may have sought the support of the FIGC leadership to secure the reappointment of his position by the AIA.

The mystery of the wiretaps

The investigations included four months of highly targeted wiretaps, authorized by Judge Anna Calabi. These operations were, however, interrupted when it became apparent that it was impossible to identify a mysterious group of people referred to as "them," mentioned in a 2025 conversation between former referee Andrea Gervasoni and Rocchi himself.

According to the documents, these unknown figures allegedly applied pressure in April of that year to push through refereeing appointments deemed "welcome to Inter" in view of the Coppa Italia final and the Scudetto race, which Napoli ultimately won.

The interrogation front in the VAR room

The investigation also directly involves professionals working with on-field technology. In recent months, referees Luigi Nasca and Rodolfo Di Vuolo, who were working in the VAR room during the controversial Inter-Verona match on January 6, 2024, were questioned. At the center of the investigation was the failure to sanction an alleged elbow by Nerazzurri defender Alessandro Bastoni. In addition to sports journalists and video tracking technicians, the Prosecutor's Office recently interviewed Gervasoni, who provided his version of events and denied the charges.

The Prosecutor's Office's next steps

The schedule of hearings at the Prosecutor's Office is expected to become even more intense shortly. Barring any changes to the schedule, Prosecutor Ascione will summon Giorgio Schenone, Inter's current club referee manager, to be heard as a person informed of the facts. His testimony could prove useful in clarifying the relationship between football clubs and the refereeing profession, better defining the contours of a complex and rapidly evolving investigation.

(In the photo, the Milan courthouse and, from left, Gianluca Rocchi, Giorgio Schenone, Luigi Nasca, and Rodolfo Di Vuolo)