⚽🏴☠️ When football passion meets the underworld, things get dangerous! Italy's football scene is facing a wild twist as mobsters infiltrate hardcore \"ultra\" fan groups across the country.
Italian crime bosses and far-right groups are teaming up with ultras—those die-hard fans known for their chants, banners, and sometimes fierce rivalries. It's like something straight out of a gangster movie! 🎬
According to Italy's top anti-mafia prosecutor, mobsters aren't just influencing these groups—they're trying to take over smaller football clubs altogether! 😳
From the Stands to the Streets
An investigation by Milan prosecutors revealed that ultra groups at big-name clubs like Inter and AC Milan have allegedly gotten tangled up with crime gangs. Leaders of these ultras, connected to the notorious 'Ndrangheta mafia, are running ticket scams and protection rackets around the famous San Siro stadium. Talk about taking fandom to a whole new (and illegal) level! 🚫
In September, police arrested 19 high-profile members of these ultra groups. The crackdown came after the killing of Antonio Bellocco, a leading figure in the 'Ndrangheta and a prominent Inter Milan ultra, outside a boxing gym. 🥊
Clubs Under Pressure
Prosecutors say that Inter Milan is in a \"subservient position\" in its dealings with the Curva Nord—the main ultra group for the Italian champions. Ouch! 😬 Similar investigations link a leading AC Milan ultra to alleged drug trafficking and mafia connections.
But it's not just Milan. Criminal infiltration is spreading to other cities, with mobsters aiming to control both fans and clubs at all levels of the game. ⚠️
Club Responses
Inter and AC Milan, both owned by U.S. investors, are cooperating with authorities. Inter President Giuseppe Marotta assured fans, \"We are the injured party, as the authorities have said.\" AC Milan stated they're working closely with prosecutors to address the issues. 🤝
The Ultra Culture Under Siege
Ultras have been a staple in Italian football since the 1960s, famous for their passionate support and spectacular displays. But their dark side involves violence and feuds. Now, with mobsters muscling in, the stadiums are becoming battlegrounds not just for teams, but for criminal control. 🎭
Giovanni Melillo, Italy's Anti-Mafia and Anti-Terrorism Chief Prosecutor, said these groups \"exercise an almost military control over the stands,\" using \"intimidation and violent retribution\" to run business activities linked to football grounds. 😱
As fans, we love the energy ultras bring to the game, but mixing crime with football? That's a red card! 🚩 Let's hope authorities can clean up the beautiful game so we can all enjoy it safely. ❤️⚽
Reference(s):
Curva nostra? Mob infiltration of soccer 'ultras' spreads across Italy
cgtn.com
