Former referee and CAN chief for Serie A and Serie B Gianluca Rocchi joins DAZN's team of talent

The run begins where the broadcast camera looks away. On Sunday at 20:45, when the ball moves from Cagliari's defence into midfield, the camera will probably follow Juventus's stars. But the real scene is away from the screen: a former referee, headphones on, pointing at a monitor and explaining why that foul was a foul and why that offside line was so tight. Gianluca Rocchi is now on DAZN's pundit panel. According to DAZN's announcement, Rocchi is the former head of the CAN, the national refereeing commission for Serie A and Serie B. His new role is to provide a technical reading of the dynamics of play that can influence refereeing decisions. His first appearance is on Sunday, October 11, 2026, for Cagliari v Juventus in the 2026-27 Serie A Enilive season. It is part of DAZN's Fuoriclasse show, powered by Haier. Rocchi's officiating career is long. The announcement says he took charge of 529 matches, including the UEFA Europa League final, UEFA Super Cup final, Coppa Italia final and Italian Super Cup final. Those numbers look like a silent spreadsheet from a youth team: nobody sees them, but they form the foundation of a referee's credibility. In the VAR era, referee explanation has become a distinct genre. Rocchi's job is to show not only the decision but why the decision was made. This is not team tactical analysis; it is refereeing analysis. Having run the CAN, he knows the pressure on officials. That experience could make him a convincing voice. But there is a data-verification caution: the 529-match figure needs independent confirmation, and the debut date should be checked against the usual announcement cycle. There is also a governance question. Rocchi used to appoint and evaluate the very referees whose decisions he will now discuss on air. A former official may instinctively defend the officials. That creates a revolving-door risk for DAZN and for transparency. If he criticises, former colleagues may wonder; if he stays silent, fans may think he is protecting the system. Still, this appointment shows that refereeing analysis is now a central part of broadcast ratings. DAZN is investing in expertise because supporters want to understand VAR checks and handball rules. Rocchi is the biggest name in that market. Whether his new role serves the viewer or the old establishment will be seen in the coming months. The run has started where the camera looks away; now we will see where it goes.