Daniele Orsato has been appointed as the new referee designator for Serie A and Serie B on a two-year contract covering the 2026-27 and 2027-28 seasons. The Italian Football Federation’s refereeing body, the AIA, confirmed the appointment on Tuesday.
Orsato replaces Gianluca Rocchi, who suspended himself in April after authorities placed him under investigation regarding alleged involvement in sporting fraud and claims that he had influenced specific VAR decisions. Dino Tommasi has acted as interim chief during the three-month period since Rocchi stepped aside.
Elite officiating experience
The 50-year-old brings extensive top-level experience to the administrative role. He retired from active officiating in June 2024 following the Atalanta versus Fiorentina match, having controlled 290 Serie A matches during his career.
Orsato’s portfolio includes control of the 2020 Champions League final between Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain, plus the 2022 World Cup semi-final between Argentina and Croatia. His final continental appointment came in the 2024 Champions League semi-final second leg between PSG and Borussia Dortmund.
Further AIA appointments
The designator role carries significant responsibility, involving the selection and assessment of match officials across Italy’s professional leagues. The AIA also confirmed that Nicola Ayroldi will serve as referee designator for Serie C.
Daniele Doveri, who was considered as an alternative candidate for the top-flight position alongside former referee Nicola Rizzoli, will instead continue his active officiating career for at least one more season.
Orsato spent the 2025-26 season as Serie C designator before this promotion, having previously taken on a talent development role with the AIA in January 2025. His appointment brings administrative stability to Italian refereeing following the turbulence surrounding Rocchi’s departure.