Italian football has been thrown into fresh uncertainty after Gianluca Rocchi, the man responsible for assigning referees in Serie A and Serie B, voluntarily suspended himself amid a sporting fraud investigation.
The case is being handled by prosecutors in Milan and has immediately become one of the biggest stories in Italian football.
Rocchi has not been found guilty of any wrongdoing, and the matter remains under investigation, but the decision to step aside has placed referee appointments, VAR decisions and the credibility of Serie A under serious public attention.
Reuters reported that Andrea Gervasoni, who oversees VAR, has also stepped aside while the investigation continues.
According to reports in Italy, the allegations include claims of interference with VAR procedures and concerns over referee appointments involving Inter Milan matches.
These remain allegations only, and no final judgment has been made. Inter Milan president Giuseppe Marotta has strongly denied any club involvement, saying the club was shocked by the reports and believes it has always acted fairly.
Rocchi, a former top-level referee, said his decision to suspend himself was painful but necessary.
His position is central to the running of Italian football because referee appointments can influence the trust supporters, clubs and players have in the competition.
When questions are raised around officiating, the damage is not only about one match or one decision.
It affects the confidence people have in the whole league.
The controversy has also revived memories of Calciopoli, the 2006 scandal that badly damaged Italian football and led to major punishments, including Juventus being relegated to Serie B.
This current case has not reached that level, but the comparison shows how sensitive referee-related allegations remain in Italy.
For Serie A, the timing is difficult. Refereeing and VAR have already been under heavy criticism across Europe, with fans often questioning consistency in big matches.
This investigation will only increase pressure on football authorities to show transparency, fairness and accountability.
Still, it is important to be careful.
At this stage, Rocchi and others involved are under investigation, not convicted. The legal process must be allowed to continue before conclusions are made.
What is clear, however, is that Italian football now faces another major test of trust.
If the allegations are proven false, Rocchi will hope to return with his reputation restored.
But if wrongdoing is found, Serie A could be forced into serious changes around referee appointments, VAR control and how match officials are monitored.
For now, Italian football waits. The investigation will decide what comes next, but the story has already sent shockwaves through Serie A.