Milan prosecutors continued their relentless referee investigation on Friday, conducting a marathon seven-hour session that included Inter’s club referee manager Giorgio Schenone, new Serie A designator Dino Tommasi, and former AIA president Antonio Zappi. While none of the three were placed under formal investigation, the length of Schenone’s testimony—over three hours—underscores the gravity of the probe.
The case revolves around alleged manipulation of referee assignments during last season’s Coppa Italia semifinal between Milan and Inter. According to intercepted conversations between former designator Luca Rocchi and video assistant referee operations chief Stefano Gervasoni, an April 2025 meeting at San Siro may have been used to influence which officials would handle key matches.
Prosecutors allege that Rocchi, in concert with others, arranged for referee Daniele Doveri to take charge of the return leg specifically to prevent him from officiating Inter’s potential final or subsequent league games. The Inter camp, according to the wiretaps, viewed Doveri as 'unwelcome.' The scheme also reportedly ensured that Andrea Colombo—deemed favorable to Inter—would referee the crucial Bologna-Inter clash on April 20.
The testimony of Giorgio Schenone, Inter’s liaison with the referee association, proved pivotal. Investigators wanted to clarify his possible presence at the alleged San Siro meeting. The three-hour interrogation focused on his interactions with Rocchi and the club’s knowledge of the designations. Following the hearing, Schenone was not indicted, though the inquiry remains open.
Dino Tommasi, who recently assumed the role of Serie A and B designator, and Antonio Zappi, the former AIA chief currently serving a 13-month suspension, also faced questions. Their participation suggests the investigation is widening beyond Rocchi’s immediate circle.
The marathon day signals that prosecutor Maurizio Ascione is pushing to finalize the probe before his scheduled transfer to the European Public Prosecutor’s Office in July. Insiders suggest he is working against the clock to tie up loose ends and potentially bring charges against additional figures.
For Inter, the immediate relief of not seeing their employee indicted may be temporary. Should the investigation prove that the club benefited from systematic referee manipulation, sporting sanctions—including points deductions—could follow. However, no evidence has yet emerged linking the club’s hierarchy to the alleged plot.
The fallout extends beyond Inter. The integrity of Serie A’s officiating is under scrutiny, with fans and rivals questioning the fairness of last season’s title race. The Italian Football Federation (FIGC) has requested access to the Milan prosecutor’s files, which could trigger a reopening of the sports disciplinary case.
Ascione is expected to spend the weekend preparing new interrogations. Sources indicate that additional names from within the refereeing community will be called in to shed light on the alleged 'knocks'—the term used in the wiretaps for pressure applied to VAR officials.
The case remains under seal, but the flurry of activity indicates that the prosecutor is determined to leave no stone unturned. With the summer transfer window approaching and the European prosecutor role awaiting, Ascione’s timeline adds urgency to an already high-stakes investigation.
Based on reporting from Tuttosport.com - Calcio.
