Italian police arrested 19 high-profile “ultra” soccer fans associated with Inter Milan and AC Milan. Many of them are suspected of having ties to the Ndrangheta mafia, according to prosecutors. The investigation revealed that fan clubs have turned into criminal organizations, involved in ticket scams and running protection rackets on drink stands and car parks around the San Siro stadium, which is home to both Serie A teams.
“The investigation is significant as it compels us to acknowledge the reality and the dangers of mafia influence in the stadiums,” said National Anti-Mafia and Anti-Terrorism Chief Prosecutor Giovanni Melillo during a press conference in Milan. Prosecutors and police reported that the individuals under suspicion, including the leaders of the respective fan groups, had confronted officials and players from both clubs in an attempt to coerce them into providing a substantial number of tickets for resale.
“Inter Milan and AC Milan are the damaged parties, victims,” said Milan chief prosecutor Marcello Viola. AC Milan stated that they would cooperate fully with investigators, while Inter Milan made no immediate comment.
News of the investigation comes less than a month after a leader of the Inter ultras, Andrea Beretta, was arrested for the murder of Antonio Bellocco, a top figure in the Calabrian Bellocco ‘Ndrangheta mob syndicate.
Police said Inter fans had been doing business with the mafia group, adding that Beretta had killed Bellocco because of a financial disagreement. Beretta has denied the murder charge, saying he had acted in self defence. Inter Milan and AC Milan are ferocious sporting rivals, but their respective ultra clubs had signed a non-belligerence pact to maximize their illicit profits, police and prosecutors said.
Police said soccer fans had to change their mindset.
“If there is no change in the way these things work, the people we have arrested will be replaced by others who will commit the same crimes,” said Milan prosecutor Paolo Storari at the news conference. The prosecutors mentioned that the two teams also needed to review their interactions with the fans, and modifications to their business structure were necessary to prevent a repeat of the alleged criminal infiltration.
“Soccer is a business activity, and criminal organizations are interested in all business activities. Unfortunately, we have seen that there are no complaints from the entrepreneurs who are the victims,” said Antonio Quintavalle, a general in the finance police.
