Rocchi investigation clears Inter of structured referee influence
Quick summary
Gianluca Rocchi's investigation into Inter's relationship with referees concluded the club's pressure was insufficient to constitute a structured system of influence.
Full article
Attributed to original sourceMore 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 AIA chief Gianluca Rocchi (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images) 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.”
LONDON, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 05: Referee Gianluca Rocchi during the UEFA Champions League group H match between Chelsea FC and AFC Ajax at Stamford Bridge on November 05, 2019 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images) 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.
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What happened
Gianluca Rocchi, head of the CAN A-C refereeing committee for Serie A, concluded an investigation examining whether Inter Milan exerted improper influence over match officials. His finding was that Inter's pressure on referees, while present, did not amount to a 'structured system' of influence. The investigation stems from growing scrutiny of officiating controversies involving Inter throughout the season. The conclusion effectively clears Inter of the most serious accusations while acknowledging a pressure dynamic existed.
Chance analysis
From a soccer decision-making perspective, this resolves a major off-field narrative that had been hanging over Inter Milan's season. The exoneration from a 'structured system' removes the risk of potential sanctions, points deductions, or formal disciplinary action against the club. For prediction systems, Inter's competitive standing is not further jeopardized by regulatory action, though the public scrutiny of their relationship with officials remains a contextual factor. This stabilizes Inter's position heading into the end of season.
Inter's competitive position is stabilized as they are cleared of structured referee influence, though the public pressure narrative persists.
Inter avoids regulatory sanctions; no impact on upcoming match predictions but removes a downside risk scenario.