The man in charge of referees selection in Italy’s top flight leagues, Gianluca Rocchi, has placed himself under immediate suspension over allegations of involvement in sporting fraud. 

The suspension of the National Referees Commission’s referee designator for Serie A and Serie B was confirmed in a statement by the Italian Referees Association (AIA).

“This painful and difficult decision, shared with my family, is intended to allow the judicial process to proceed smoothly, from which I am certain I will emerge unscathed and stronger than before,” the statement read.

It added, “My great love for my association and my sense of responsibility for the role I hold lead me, above all, to protect such an important group of athletes, whom I do not want to be affected in any way by my circumstances. I await further developments, which I hope will arrive soon to clarify my position.”

According to Italian news agency AIG, the decision by Mr Rocchi to suspend himself came after the Milan Public Prosecutor’s Office served him a formal notice of investigation on Friday evening. 

Reports noted that the suspect was being investigated for alleged manipulation of officiating decisions in several games during the 2024/25 season, including selection of a referee for an Inter Milan game as he was “liked by Inter.”

Rocchi is also accused of reportedly putting pressure on a VAR official to encourage a referee to check on the pitchside monitor for a handball offence during Udinese’s 1-0 win over Parma in March last year.

The referee and VAR official later overturned their decision and awarded a yellow, which Florian Thauvin later scored as the only goal of the game.

Additionally, AIG reported that VAR supervisor Andrea Gervasoni is also under investigation for “complicity with other individuals” for sports fraud.