Serie A Referee Designator Rocchi: “We’re Now Awarding the Right Penalties”

Gianluca Rocchi, the referee designator for Serie A, recently shared his thoughts on the state of officiating in Italian football. In a candid interview, Rocchi reflected on the challenges of 2024 and addressed several key issues facing referees today.

Rocchi acknowledged the complexity of his role, which involves overseeing 152 officials. He noted that the job is often thankless, with criticism far outweighing praise. Despite this, Rocchi emphasized the importance of maintaining focus and responsibility in such a crucial position.

Addressing the contentious issue of “soft penalties,” Rocchi admitted there had been problems earlier in the season. However, he stated that in recent weeks, officials have improved in awarding only legitimate penalties. Rocchi advised referees to trust their instincts, saying, “When your gut tells you it’s a penalty, 98% of the time it is.”

On the topic of VAR, Rocchi stressed that it should only be used for clear and serious incidents, not for every questionable call. He expressed openness to the idea of a “VAR challenge” system, where teams could request reviews. However, Rocchi cautioned that this might shift responsibility away from referees.

Rocchi highlighted ongoing efforts to improve officiating, including collaborations with coaches and players’ associations. He emphasized that referees must be excellent football experts, not just rule enforcers. “A referee must be a great connoisseur of football, not just the rules,” Rocchi concluded.