More details are emerging from the decision to shelve the investigation into Gianluca Rocchi, with investigators noting Inter not wanting certain referees was not enough to prove ‘a structured system’ to alter outcomes.
The investigation erupted in April 2026 when refereeing designator Rocchi was placed under formal investigation with the accusation of sporting fraud.
After weeks of uncertainty and controversy, with many promising a second Calciopoli scandal after 2006, the entire investigation was shelved today due to lack of evidence.
Rocchi and Inter cleared
The statement released by the prosecutor explains why there was insufficient cause to continue with the extremely serious charges.
“Within the limits of the available evidence, including wiretaps, tracking, and witness statements, we identified interference and pressure in only a few of the cases involving referee designations at the centre of this investigation.
“However, based on the conversations intercepted between Rocchi and others, the evidence does not demonstrate that this interference and pressure was objectively aimed at altering the outcome of matches.”
The most important missing element here was direct contact between Rocchi and the club, although it was revealed today for the first time that Inter had been under formal investigation too.
Instead, he is heard speaking to colleagues about common knowledge that Inter do not like or want certain referees assigned to their games.
“Therefore, no structured system emerged to influence the fairness of the matches, nor any director or intercepted contact between the refereeing designator and Inter officials,” continued the statement.
Whereas in Calciopoli there was direct pressure from various clubs to remove certain referees from games and assign others, this was purely a process of elimination.
If there was to be proof of an attempt to alter the outcome, it would be suggesting who to put in place of the ‘disliked’ referees.
The matches under the spotlight were Inter-Milan in the Coppa Italia on April 23, 2025, Inter-Verona in Serie A on May 3, 2025, and Torino-Inter on April 26, 2026.
The evidence has been passed on to the sporting justice system, who could still choose to look further into the matter and present other charges.
