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While Italy may not be in the World Cup, they are being represented in Russia.
Serie A referee Gianluca Rocchi is one of a few Italian representatives and is serving as a head official for matches during the 2018 World Cup.
In fact, he served has head official for the Portugal-Spain match that highlighted Friday’s slate of games.
WORLD CUP 2018 [LIVE]
— Variety World Net (@VWNControlDesk) June 15, 2018
Portugal vs Spain
MATCH REFEREE
Gianluca Rocchi ( #Italy)
Image Credits: BBC Sport pic.twitter.com/jpRpziHegD
And boy, did he get a ration of crap for it.
Twitter was certainly not kind to him … at all. An early penalty given, a yellow card and a questionable goal is all it took for social media to turn on the center man.
30 minutes gone and referee Gianluca Rocchi has already authorized a penalty that shouldn't been given, a goal that shouldn't have stood and a yellow for a fair challenge. Massively disappointing. #ESPPOR #ESP #POR #WorldCup
— Shot on Goal (@shotongoalx) June 15, 2018
Gianluca Rocchi probably a 2nd division referee and on Spain payroll, ridiculous see a ref like this on a World Cup. #FIFA #Referee #Payroll #HelpSpain
— Pedro Litri (@PedroLitri79) June 15, 2018
Seems Portugal is playing against a 12-team Spain. Referee Rocchi being the 12th man on the Spanish side #WorldCup
— Gachanja Muigai (@GachanjaMuigai) June 15, 2018
#WC2018 #POR v #ESP Referee #Rocchi falls into the #Ronaldo trap and gives away a #penalty Perfectly executed #SCHWALBE! #WorldCup #PORESP
— Ramon Mannie (@RamonMannie) June 15, 2018
Oh Gianluca Rocchi is the referee and Orsato is a VAR, this should go swimmingly #WorldCup
— Joe Giordano (@JGio92) June 15, 2018
Of course, he did have one fan in Twitter land:
Referee, Gianluca Rocchi, has had a good game. Taken no nonsense and got just about every decision right. #PORESP #WorldCup
— Glyn Sexton (@glynster61) June 15, 2018
This is Rocchi’s first World Cup, but he has refereed in competitions like the 2018 Europa League semifinals, 2018 Champions League quarterfinals, 2017 Super Cup, 2017 Confederations Cup and 2012 Olympic Games.
According to an online profile, Rocchi took just four years to go from officiating in Serie C to Serie A and was selected to Italy’s National Referee Committee and was recently selected as Italy’s top official.
Oh, by the way, the game ended in a somewhat surprising 3-3 draw.
The next game for Rocchi … time will tell.
What do you think? Post your comments below!