What Inter and AC Milan are risking after the latest Ultras ticket scandal

Inter Milan and AC Milan will have to prove they have cut ties with ultras groups as part of the latest crackdown on alleged illegal ticket sales.

This is reported by the Italian outlet Calcio and Finanza. They report that Italian anti-mafia authorities have opened a “preventive” case to investigate the two clubs amid the latest ticketing scandal.

Today, anti-mafia authorities in Italy opened a high-profile investigation into alleged activities of Inter Ultras group Curva Nord and AC Milan counterparts Curva Sud.

The heart of the matter is the group’s involvement in matches of the two clubs at San Siro. Authorities have made a number of arrests of leading members of both clubs’ ultra groups.

But at the same time there is also a case against both Milanese clubs.

However, according to Calcio e Finanza, the clubs are not the subject of a criminal case. Rather, it is a “preventive” matter, aimed at ensuring maximum compliance with the law.

Inter and AC Milan must show broken ties with Ultras groups

The main concern of Italy’s anti-mafia authorities regarding this latest scandal is to ensure that Inter and Milan have not facilitated any illegal activities by their ultras groups.

There is no suspicion that either club is directly involved in illegal activities.

These alleged activities include selling drinks and concessions, parking lot extortion, and most importantly, racketeering.

In addition, anti-mafia prosecutors allege involvement between the Inter and Milan ultras and prominent mafia organizations, particularly from the Calabria region.

Below and Milan may not be directly involved in such activities. But prosecutors will cross-examine the clubs to try to understand the extent to which they facilitated the activities.

Calcio e Finanza report that prosecutors can rely on Article 34 of Legislative Decree 159/2011.

This article is about possible negligence, inaction or ‘poor internal organization’ within a company that could facilitate illegal activities.

The authorities would certainly not bring criminal charges against Inter or Milan in connection with the case.

However, prosecutors will review the clubs’ business activities. Particularly those relating to ticket sales.

If prosecutors discover that the clubs’ management of matchdays at San Siro has allowed members of organized crime to generate profits and “legitimize” their activities, they could recommend action.

However, Calcio e Finanza characterizes potential measures as ‘therapeutic’ and not punitive.

The authorities will determine whether Inter and Milan can manage the process of breaking away from their ultra groups themselves amid this latest scandal.

However, it is possible that prosecutors could become directly involved. They could recommend a program to eliminate connections to suspected illegal activities.

Who’s been arrested in the latest Ultras ticket scandal?

The catalyst that caused this latest legal storm surrounding the ultras was the murder of Antonio Bellocco. Bellocco was a high-profile member of Inter’s Ultras group Curva Nord.

The perpetrator of the murder was Andrea Beretta. Beretta is another high-profile Inter ultra, which also has ties to organized crime.

Today, the authorities’ investigation has led to nineteen arrests. Sixteen high-profile ultras are currently in prison. And then three more are under house arrest.

Marco Ferdico is one of the leading members of the Curva Nord ultras group. The leader of the Milan ultras, Luca Lucci, was also arrested.

Both Lucci and Ferdico are ‘famous’ in ultra circles.

As part of the ongoing case, Inter and Milan will have to demonstrate that they have sufficiently severed ties with these individuals and their alleged criminal activities.