Gianluca Rocchi

Gianluca Rocchi has been one of the best-known Italian referees in recent times and, as of the end of the 2017-18 season, had officiated in 230 Serie A matches since making his début in 2004. He also took charge of 80 Serie B games. He has been in control of all the leading matches involving the top clubs in Italy, and has refereed 14 of the Big Four derbies in Roma, Torino, Milano and Genoa. Rocchi won the Giorgio Bernardi Award for being the Best Novice Referee in Serie A in 2005, and in 2009 won the coveted Giovanni Mauro Award as Best Referee of the Year.

Rocchi was appointed a FIFA International referee in 2008, and has been in charge of many international matches and leading European club games. He officiated in two games at the 2012 London Olympics, including the semi-final between Mexico and Japan at Wembley Stadium in front of 80,000 fans. Rocchi was in charge of three games at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia, including the memorable 3-3 draw between Portugal and Spain, in which Cristiano Ronaldo completed a hat-trick in the 88th minute to level the scores. In 2019 he had the honour of refereeing the all-England UEFA Europa Lague final between Arsenal and Chelsea. Rocchi announced his retirement the following season after the Juventus v Roma match on 1 August 2020. His total of 263 Serie A games was the same as Cesare Jonni and the pair’s total was bettered only by the 328 matches of Concetto Lo Bello.