Investigation into Alleged Sporting Fraud in Italian Refereeing

Apr 26, 2026, 19:45

Introduction

The Milan Public Prosecutor's Office has started an investigation into suspected sporting fraud involving senior officials of the Italian Referees Association (AIA). As a result, several key leaders have suspended themselves from their roles.

Main Body

The legal inquiry focuses on Gianluca Rocchi, the referee designator for Serie A and Serie B, and Andrea Gervasoni, the VAR supervisor. Both officials resigned on April 26, 2026, to allow the legal process to move forward. The investigation began after a complaint from former assistant referee Domenico Rocca in May 2025, who claimed there were systemic irregularities. Although the FIGC Federal Prosecutor, Giuseppe Chinè, stated that an initial sporting investigation was dismissed in July 2025, the Milan Prosecutor is now checking if these actions are criminally relevant. Prosecutors are specifically examining whether Rocchi improperly influenced match results and referee assignments during the 2024-25 season. For example, they are reviewing a match between Udinese and Parma on March 1, 2025, where video evidence suggests Rocchi spoke with VAR officials from outside the official booth to influence a penalty decision. Furthermore, it is claimed that Rocchi manipulated assignments for Inter Milan by choosing specific referees to avoid unfavorable officiating in certain matches. Inter Milan's management has denied any involvement. President Beppe Marotta asserted that the club is not part of these events, noting that the team actually suffered from several poor refereeing decisions last season. While coach Cristian Chivu refused to comment on the legal case, reports suggest the club is frustrated that past controversies are being brought up again. Meanwhile, Sports Minister Andrea Abodi has called for transparency, as some fear this situation could be as serious as the 2006 Calciopoli scandal.

Conclusion

The investigation is still continuing, and Gianluca Rocchi is expected to be questioned on April 30. The Milan Public Prosecutor will decide whether these events were isolated mistakes or part of a larger system of fraud based on the evidence.

Vocabulary Learning

fraud (n.)
deception / a dishonest act or trick欺詐
Example:The investigation uncovered evidence of fraud in the match officiating.
inquiry (n.)
a formal investigation or examination調查；詢問
Example:The legal inquiry focused on the referee's conduct.
irregularities (n.)
unusual or incorrect occurrences / instances of something not following rules不規則之處；違規情形
Example:The complaint highlighted several irregularities in the refereeing process.
manipulated (v.)
controlled or altered unfairly / to influence something in a dishonest way操縱；操縱
Example:The referee allegedly manipulated the assignments to avoid unfavorable matches.
transparency (n.)
openness and clarity in actions透明度；公開性
Example:The minister called for greater transparency in the investigation.

Sentence Learning

The investigation began after a complaint from former assistant referee Domenico Rocca in May 2025, who claimed there were systemic irregularities.
Relative Clause: This clause provides additional information about the subject 'Domenico Rocca' by using the relative pronoun 'who'.關係子句: 此子句以關係代詞 'who' 為主詞，提供了關於 'Domenico Rocca' 的額外資訊。
Although the FIGC Federal Prosecutor, Giuseppe Chinè, stated that an initial sporting investigation was dismissed in July 2025, the Milan Prosecutor is now checking if these actions are criminally relevant.
Contrastive Conjunction: The word 'Although' introduces a contrast between the statement about the prosecutor and the current investigation.對比連接詞: 'Although' 用來表達兩個相對立的情況之間的對比。
For example, they are reviewing a match between Udinese and Parma on March 1, 2025, where video evidence suggests Rocchi spoke with VAR officials from outside the official booth to influence a penalty decision.
Relative Clause: The clause starting with 'where' gives more detail about the match being reviewed.關係子句: 'where' 子句提供了關於正在審查的比賽的額外細節。
Furthermore, it is claimed that Rocchi manipulated assignments for Inter Milan by choosing specific referees to avoid unfavorable officiating in certain matches.
Passive Voice: The sentence uses passive construction 'it is claimed' to report an allegation without specifying the subject.被動語態: 'it is claimed' 以被動形式表達，未指明說明者。
While coach Cristian Chivu refused to comment on the legal case, reports suggest the club is frustrated that past controversies are being brought up again.
Contrastive Conjunction: The conjunction 'While' introduces a contrast between the coach's silence and the reports of frustration.對比連接詞: 'While' 用於對比教練不發表評論與報告中的沮喪情緒。