Italian referee chief suspends himself

Italian football is facing a fresh crisis as Gianluca Rocchi, the national head of referees, has stepped down amid a major corruption investigation.

Rocchi is accused of 'sporting fraud' related to alleged match-fixing and biased official appointments during the 2024-25 season.

The probe, led by Milan's Public Prosecutor, has cast a shadow over the final weeks of the Serie A campaign and evoked painful memories of the 2006 Calciopoli scandal.

While Rocchi denies any wrongdoing, his self-suspension is seen as a necessary step to protect the integrity of the league while the legal process unfolds.