From Champions League final to Serie A’s top referee role for Orsato

Daniele Orsato has been officially appointed as Serie A’s new referee designator for the 2026-27 and 2027-28 seasons, replacing Gianluca Rocchi who stepped aside in April amid allegations of sporting fraud and VAR influence.

Orsato’s appointment follows a three-month interim period led by Dino Tommasi, who has served as the acting refereeing chief since Rocchi’s suspension.

The 50-year-old Orsato brings extensive elite experience, having officiated 290 Serie A matches during his career. His most prominent appointment came in the 2020 Champions League final between Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain.

Orsato also took charge of the 2024 Champions League semi-final second leg between PSG and Borussia Dortmund, as well as the 2022 World Cup semi-final between Argentina and Croatia.

His final Serie A match was the June 2, 2024 fixture between Atalanta and Fiorentina.

Since January 2025, Orsato has served as the AIA commissioner for refereeing talent development, and in the 2025-26 season he held the role of Serie C referee designator.

Nicola Rizzoli and Daniele Doveri were considered alongside Orsato for the Serie A and Serie B referee designator position. Doveri, 48, will remain on the pitch as a referee for another season.

Nicola Ayroldi has been named as the new referee designator for Serie C.