Daniele Orsato Takes Over as Serie A's New Referee Designator
The Italian Referees Association (AIA) has confirmed that Daniele Orsato will assume the role of referee designator for Serie A and Serie B for the 2026-27 and 2027-28 seasons.
Orsato Succeeds Rocchi as Refereeing Chief
Orsato steps into the position previously held by Gianluca Rocchi, who stepped down in April. Rocchi's departure followed an investigation into alleged sporting fraud and accusations of influencing VAR decisions. Dino Tommasi has been acting as the interim head of refereeing during this period.
The 50-year-old Orsato is a well-respected retired referee with an extensive officiating career, having overseen 290 Serie A matches. His significant assignments included the 2020 Champions League final between Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain, the 2024 Champions League semi-final second leg between PSG and Borussia Dortmund, and the 2022 World Cup semi-final between Argentina and Croatia. His final Serie A match was on June 2, 2024, between Atalanta and Fiorentina.
Prior to this appointment, Orsato served as the AIA commissioner for refereeing talent development from January 2025 and was the referee designator for Serie C during the 2025-26 season.
While Nicola Rizzoli and Daniele Doveri were also considered for the Serie A and Serie B designator role, Doveri, at 48, will continue his refereeing duties for another season. Nicola Ayroldi has been appointed as the referee designator for Serie C.
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