Police Investigate Italian Football Referees

Apr 26, 2026, 19:45
A2

Police Investigate Italian Football Referees

Introduction

Police in Milan are looking at some football referees. They think some leaders lied or cheated in games.

Main Body

Two leaders, Gianluca Rocchi and Andrea Gervasoni, left their jobs in April 2026. They left so the police can do their work. A former referee said there were problems in May 2025. Police think Gianluca Rocchi changed the results of games. They have a video from a game between Udinese and Parma. In the video, Rocchi talks to other referees to change a penalty decision. He also picked specific referees for Inter Milan games. Inter Milan says they did not do anything wrong. The club president says the team is not part of this. The coach does not want to talk about the police case. He wants to win the league title. The Sports Minister wants the truth. He says everyone must follow the same rules. The football federation is now looking for new leaders to run the referees.

Conclusion

The police are still working. Gianluca Rocchi will talk to the police on April 30.

Vocabulary Learning

coach (n.)
a person who trains athletes / a person who gives instruction to a sports team教練
Example:The coach gave a pep talk before the game.
football (n.)
a sport played with a ball and goalposts / a game played with a ball足球
Example:Many people watch football on television.
police (n.)
law enforcement officers / officers who enforce laws警察
Example:The police are investigating the case.
referee (n.)
an official who makes decisions in a game / a person who enforces rules in a match裁判
Example:The referee called a foul on the player.
team (n.)
a group of people working together / a group that plays a sport together團隊
Example:The team won the championship.

Sentence Learning

They left so the police can do their work.
Connector: The word 'so' shows the reason or purpose of the action.連接詞: 'so' 一詞表示動作的原因或目的。
Two leaders, Gianluca Rocchi and Andrea Gervasoni, left their jobs in April 2026.
Time: The phrase 'in April 2026' tells when the action happened.時間: 'in April 2026' 一詞說明動作發生的時間。
In the video, Rocchi talks to other referees to change a penalty decision.
Prepositional Phrase: The phrase 'In the video' tells where the action takes place.介係詞片語: 'In the video' 一詞說明動作發生的地方。
B2

Investigation into Alleged Sporting Fraud in Italian Refereeing

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。
C2

Investigation into Alleged Sporting Fraud within Italian Refereeing Administration

Introduction

The Milan Public Prosecutor's Office has initiated an investigation into suspected sporting fraud involving senior officials of the Italian Referees Association (AIA), leading to the self-suspension of key leadership figures.

Main Body

The judicial inquiry centers on Gianluca Rocchi, the referee designator for Serie A and Serie B, and Andrea Gervasoni, the VAR supervisor. Both officials resigned their positions on April 26, 2026, to facilitate the legal process. The investigation was prompted by a May 2025 complaint from former assistant referee Domenico Rocca, which alleged systemic irregularities. While the FIGC Federal Prosecutor, Giuseppe Chinè, stated that an initial sporting investigation into these claims was dismissed in July 2025, the Milan Prosecutor is now examining the matter for potential criminal relevance. Specific allegations against Rocchi involve the improper influence of match outcomes and official assignments during the 2024-25 season. Prosecutors are scrutinizing a March 1, 2025, match between Udinese and Parma, where video evidence allegedly shows Rocchi communicating with VAR officials from outside the designated booth to influence a penalty decision. Furthermore, it is alleged that Rocchi manipulated referee assignments for Inter Milan, specifically appointing Andrea Colombo for a match against Bologna and avoiding the appointment of Daniele Doveri for a Coppa Italia fixture to prevent perceived unfavorable officiating. Inter Milan's administration has expressed detachment from these allegations. President Beppe Marotta stated that the club is uninvolved and noted that several refereeing decisions from the previous season were objectively adverse to the team. Coach Cristian Chivu has similarly declined to comment on the judicial proceedings, maintaining a focus on the club's current pursuit of the Scudetto. Despite this, reports indicate the club is experiencing frustration due to the timing of the investigation and the resurgence of past controversial incidents, such as an unawarded penalty against Roma and a foul involving Alessandro Bastoni against Verona. From an institutional perspective, the situation has drawn the attention of Sports Minister Andrea Abodi, who has called for transparency and equal treatment in the handling of these allegations. The potential for systemic failure has led to comparisons with the 2006 Calciopoli scandal. Currently, the FIGC is considering temporary leadership replacements, with Maurizio Ciampi identified as a likely candidate to oversee refereeing operations.

Conclusion

The investigation remains ongoing, with Gianluca Rocchi scheduled for questioning on April 30. The final determination of whether these incidents represent isolated irregularities or a systemic fraud will depend on the evidence processed by the Milan Public Prosecutor.

Vocabulary Learning

detachment (n.)
state of being impartial超然
Example:His detachment from the controversy allowed him to remain objective.
facilitate (v.)
to make an action or process easier促進
Example:The new software will facilitate data analysis for researchers.
prompted (v.)
to cause someone to take action促使
Example:The alarming statistics prompted the council to act immediately.
scrutinizing (v.)
examining something closely仔細審查
Example:The audit committee was scrutinizing the financial statements.
transparency (n.)
quality of being open and honest透明度
Example:The company’s transparency in reporting earned public trust.

Sentence Learning

While the FIGC Federal Prosecutor, Giuseppe Chinè, stated that an initial sporting investigation into these claims was dismissed in July 2025, the Milan Prosecutor is now examining the matter for potential criminal relevance.
Subordination: The sentence begins with a subordinate clause introduced by 'While', which sets a temporal condition before the main clause. This structure emphasizes the contrast between the earlier dismissal and the current examination.層疊句: 句子以 'While' 開頭的從屬子句設定了時間條件，與主句形成對比，強調先前被駁回與目前正在調查之間的關係。
Prosecutors are scrutinizing a March 1, 2025, match between Udinese and Parma, where video evidence allegedly shows Rocchi communicating with VAR officials from outside the designated booth to influence a penalty decision.
Relative Clause: The clause 'where video evidence allegedly shows...' modifies 'match' and provides additional information about the evidence. It uses a relative pronoun 'where' to link location and content.關係子句: 子句 'where video evidence allegedly shows...' 修飾 'match'，提供關於證據的額外資訊，使用關係代詞 'where' 將地點與內容連結。
Furthermore, it is alleged that Rocchi manipulated referee assignments for Inter Milan, specifically appointing Andrea Colombo for a match against Bologna and avoiding the appointment of Daniele Doveri for a Coppa Italia fixture to prevent perceived unfavorable officiating.
Reduced Relative Clause + Infinitive: The phrase 'specifically appointing...' is a reduced relative clause that describes the action of manipulating assignments. The infinitive phrase 'to prevent perceived unfavorable officiating' explains the purpose.簡化關係子句＋不定詞: 'specifically appointing...' 為簡化關係子句，說明操縱分配的行為；不定詞片語 'to prevent perceived unfavorable officiating' 說明目的。
Coach Cristian Chivu has similarly declined to comment on the judicial proceedings, maintaining a focus on the club's current pursuit of the Scudetto.
Participial Phrase: The participial phrase 'maintaining a focus' provides additional information about Chivu's simultaneous action, functioning as an adverbial modifier of the main verb 'declined'.分詞短語: 分詞短語 'maintaining a focus' 進一步說明 Chivu 同時進行的行為，作為主要動詞 'declined' 的副詞性修飾。
Despite this, reports indicate the club is experiencing frustration due to the timing of the investigation and the resurgence of past controversial incidents, such as an unawarded penalty against Roma and a foul involving Alessandro Bastoni against Verona.
Parenthetical Clause (such as): The clause 'such as an unawarded penalty against Roma and a foul involving Alessandro Bastoni against Verona' is a parenthetical example inserted after the main clause, illustrating the types of incidents.插入子句 (such as): 子句 'such as an unawarded penalty against Roma and a foul involving Alessandro Bastoni against Verona' 作為插入例子，說明具體事件類型。