Milan police arrest 19 people during action against football ultras | Italy

Police in Milan have arrested 19 people as part of an operation against hardcore ‘ultra’ football fans, most of whom were accused of having links to the mafia.

Among those arrested were Luca Lucci and Renato Bosetti, leaders of the AC Milan and Inter Milan ultras respectively.

Lucci, who was previously convicted on drug charges, was photographed in 2018 shaking hands with Matteo Salvini, the leader of the far-right League party. Salvini is deputy prime minister and transport minister in the far-right government of Giorgia Meloni.

The investigation began after the murder of Antonio Bellocco, a powerful member of the ‘Ndrangheta crime syndicate, in early September. Bellocco was killed during a fight outside a boxing gym in Milan, allegedly by Andrea Beretta, one of Bosetti’s predecessors. Beretta had a leading role in Inter Milan’s ultras, known as the Curva Nord, after career criminal Vittorio Boiocchi was shot dead outside his home in October 2022.

Italy’s financial police said the charges included “criminal conspiracy aggravated by mafia methods, extortion, assault and other serious crimes.”

Bellocco’s murder increased suspicions about the growing connection between mafia clans and ultras operating in Milan’s San Siro stadium.

Marco Ferdico, a close associate of Bellocco, was also arrested, as were Alex Cologno and Christian Rosiello, who were described by the Italian press as “friends and bodyguards” of high-profile rapper Fedez.

The alleged crimes include selling tickets; forced ‘pizzo’ payments, or protection money, from food and drink vendors outside the stadium, or in exchange for parking spaces; and serious bodily injury.

Milan prosecutor Marcello Viola, quoted by Ansa news agency, said it was “a complex investigation” brought together by several departments of the Italian state police. He also said that Milan police had banned numerous others from entering “places where sporting events take place”.

He described illegal economic activity at the San Siro stadium as “out of control” and that this was partly due to “deficiencies” in the management of fan relations.

AC Milan and Inter Milan are two of Italy’s leading football clubs. Supporters of the two teams entered into a ‘non-belligerent’ agreement in 1981 following the death of a 21-year-old fan. But police said the pact evolved into a business deal aimed at “making a profit” and jointly infiltrating “every potentially profitable aspect of football.”

Ultras are generally well organized, extremely violent and racist. Ultra leaders reportedly earn thousands of euros a month from illegal activities.