Former referee Daniele Minelli has introduced additional claims and offered extra particulars relating to the newest refereeing scandal, and claims that errors have ‘multiplied at an alarming price’ after a grievance about referee designator Gianluca Rocchi was introduced ahead final 12 months.
Serie A and Serie B referee designator Rocchi is presently a very severe cost that wasn’t even introduced towards referees throughout the notorious Calciopoli scandal.
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The matter started in Could 2025 when former assistant referee Domenico Rocca despatched a letter of grievance to the Italian referees’ affiliation (AIA) relating to designator Rocchi.
AIA chief Gianluca Rocchi (Picture by Paolo Bruno/Getty Pictures)
FIGC prosecutor Giuseppe Chine has confirmed that t however that is now being investigated by the general public prosecutor’s workplace in because of potential felony relevance.
The investigation centres round an incident that occurred throughout the Serie A match between and on March 1, 2025. Throughout that recreation, there was a assessment for a possible penalty, which VAR official Daniele Paterna appeared inclined to rule out, nonetheless, footage exhibits that Paterna regarded again, gave the impression to be speaking to any individual behind him, was seen asking ‘is it a penalty?’, and this has led to claims that VAR choices have been being influenced by exterior figures.
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Stories in declare that numerous different incidents have been introduced beneath assessment, together with referee on the finish of the 2024-25 season, as he was not thought of a ‘beneficial’ selection for the Nerazzurri.
MILAN, ITALY – JANUARY 11: Match referee, Daniele Doveri exhibits Antonio Conte, Head Coach of , (not pictured) a purple card throughout the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and SSC Napoli at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on January 11, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Picture by Marco Luzzani/Getty Pictures)
Minelli gives additional particulars and allegations in refereeing scandal
Talking to information company AGI (through ), former ref Minelli, who spent most of his officiating profession in Serie B with a handful of outings within the high flight, claims that interference within the VAR room was a widely known factor amongst officers.
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He additionally says that refs whose errors have been corrected by VAR would obtain a better score, and would due to this fact be extra prone to seem in large matches, whereas those that didn’t have their errors corrected would drop decrease down the referees’ rating, and in some circumstances, won’t even be paid.
“The knocks (on the glass) of the VAR room? Individuals have been speaking about it and it was well-known that the protocol didn’t enable it,” Minelli stated.
LIVORNO, ITALY – JULY 31: Daniele Minelli referee throughout the serie B match between AS Livorno and FC Empoli at Armando Picchi Stadium on July 31, 2020 in Livorno, Italy. (Picture by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Pictures for Lega Serie B)
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“Within the case of Udinese vs. Parma, it’s clear that if the VAR official gave a (penalty), it could have an effect on their score and consequently, the interior rating that determines whether or not referees keep or go dwelling, and thus, whether or not they obtain their attendance charge or not. There may be repercussions for the golf equipment within the league desk.”
Minelli claims that referee designator Rocchi and his assistants affected sure calls within the VAR room, however provides that these incidents have considerably decreased after the grievance was made by Rocca final 12 months, and consequently, errors by referees have elevated.
“Ever since Rocchi and his assistants stopped turning up in Lissone, as a result of the federation required that the federal prosecutor be current within the VAR room after Rocca’s grievance, refereeing errors have multiplied at an alarming price. I don’t know if that’s the explanation, however I’ve by no means seen as many as this 12 months.
“If errors have been corrected in some circumstances however not in others, it’s clear that this has skewed the referees’ rankings, as a result of these whose errors have been corrected acquired a optimistic score, whereas those that weren’t acquired a destructive one. You solely want to observe the footage from the VAR room from latest years: You may hear the solutions being made.”