Gianluca Rocchi, former referee and now designator, was honored with a career award at the Niccolò Galli Memorial event. Speaking from the stage, he shared his feelings: “It was emotional seeing footage of myself on the field; I miss those sensations somewhat. I had a wonderful career path spanning over 17 years. I was fortunate; it`s not simple to maintain such a high level for such an extended period.”
Which match brings back the fondest memories?
“I`ve never been able to single out just one match; each one holds a special memory and was a fantastic experience. I prefer to think about my whole career journey: the finals I refereed, the World Cup games, the Serie A matches… They were all genuinely great experiences.”
Was officiating matches more challenging than training referees?
“There`s no comparison; I`d return to the field right now. The tension and stress levels are not comparable. I used to have fun; it became second nature. Today, I do everything *but* have fun; they are truly distinct roles.”
Despite a challenging week, you appear quite serene.
“I believe one should project serenity because once you`ve given your maximum effort, the outcome is no longer in your control. I always strive to do my very best.”
You`re not short on self-criticism; are you content with the season?
“I don`t offer judgments, partly because the league season isn`t over yet, but also because it`s not my custom or my role; that`s for you [the media] to do. The aim is to perform well; we are the sole profession that publicly exposes its mistakes. I made sure to come here, then I`ll return to Milan this afternoon to record Open VAR for DAZN. I doubt many other professions are as open to acknowledging and admitting mistakes; for us, it seems it`s just expected…”
What are your thoughts on the numerous unfortunate incidents occurring on amateur pitches?
“Sport embodies culture, and refereeing even more so, but it needs to be respected accordingly. I understand it`s challenging to persuade a family and a young person to undertake a wonderful activity when situations arise where officials are outnumbered 10 or 20 to one. Some of these scenes are truly disturbing.”