Match-Fixing Allegations Surface in Italy: Probe Launched Against 5 Referees

The Italian football landscape is once again rocked by scandal, this time casting a shadow over the integrity of its referees. A sweeping investigation, launched by the Milan Public Prosecutor's Office, is currently scrutinizing allegations of match-fixing that could have impacted results in both Serie A and Serie B over the last two seasons. This probe comes at a particularly sensitive time for Italian football, still reeling from the shock of failing to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup finals.

Reports indicate that five individuals within the refereeing community are the focus of this inquiry. The investigation centers on claims that referee and Video Assistant Referee (VAR) appointments, as well as crucial VAR decisions, were manipulated to influence the outcomes of specific matches. Notably, the current focus is on referee appointments and VAR interventions in three Serie A games, one Serie B match, and one Coppa Italia fixture during the 2023-2024 and 2024-2025 seasons.

Among those reportedly under review are prominent figures such as former referee Gianluca Rocchi, who heads the Serie A and Serie B Referee Appointment Committee, VAR observer Andrea Gervasoni, and VAR referees Luigi Nasca, Rodolfo Di Vuolo, and Daniele Paterna. While initial reports suggested Rocchi was accused of influencing VAR decisions and favoring certain referees for Inter matches, the Italian Referees Association (AIA) has appointed Dino Tommasi as the interim head of referee appointments until the end of the season. The President of the Italian National Olympic Committee (CONI), Luciano Bonfiglio, has stated that there is no need for a receivership of the Italian Football Federation at this time, but the scandal undoubtedly casts a pall over the sport.