AC Milan, Inter Ultras arrested for criminal activities involving the mafia

A major police operation has arrested several leading ultra football fans of Inter Milan and AC Milan on charges of mafia-related activities, in a significant blow to both clubs’ hardcore supporter groups.

Italian authorities arrested 19 people on Monday and charged them with forming criminal groups with the aim of controlling companies linked to the San Siro stadium.

The arrested ultras – infamous for their extreme loyalty and involvement in football culture – are now accused of criminal conspiracy, extortion, assault and the use of mafia methods, among other charges. The powerful Calabrian mafia group, the ‘Ndrangheta, is also believed to be involved in the criminal gang.

Among those arrested are prominent figures such as Alex Cologno, Christian Rosiello and Luca Lucci. Cologno and Rosiello are described by the Italian press as close associates of Fedez, the famous Italian rapper and music producer. Lucci, previously convicted of drug-related crimes, made headlines in 2018 after he was photographed with far-right Lega party leader Matteo Salvini, who is currently deputy prime minister in Giorgia Meloni’s government.

The criminal network is said to have infiltrated a series of activities at Milan’s iconic Giuseppe Meazza Stadium, better known as San Siro. The businesses the group targeted included ticket sales, food and beverage vendors, fan souvenir shops and parking management. There are also suspicions that the group was involved in drug trafficking.

The investigation, which culminated in these arrests, began after the murder of Antonio Bellocco, a senior member of the ‘Ndrangheta, outside a boxing gym in Milan earlier this month. Bellocco was reportedly murdered by Andrea Beretta, a former leader of Inter Milan’s ultra group Curva Nord. The murder raised concerns about the growing influence of mafia clans within the ultra factions in San Siro.

Milan prosecutor Marcello Viola described the investigation as “complex” and noted that several departments of the Italian state police were involved. He confirmed that several ultras had been banned from visiting sporting venues as part of the crackdown. Viola also criticized the lack of supervision of relations with fans, which allowed illegal activities at the San Siro to “spiral out of control.”

Police revealed that the arrested ultras were involved in forcing vendors to pay pizza – protection money – for the right to sell food and drinks outside the stadium or secure parking areas. They are also accused of violent attacks and selling tickets.

Ultra groups Inter Milan and AC Milan have a long-standing ‘non-war pact’, originally brokered in 1981 after the death of a 21-year-old fan. However, authorities now believe that this agreement has turned into a profitable business deal. The two groups are alleged to have worked together to exploit “every potentially profitable aspect of football”, jointly conducting illegal operations around the sport.

The homes of more than 50 ultra members were searched in connection with the investigation, including those of Giancarlo Lombardi, a former AC Milan ultra leader known as ‘The Baron’, and the late Antonio Bellocco, who was believed to be deeply involved in the murder. ‘Ndrangheta’s activities.

AC Milan and Inter Milan are among Italy’s most celebrated football clubs, but this latest mafia scandal has cast a dark shadow over their fan base. Ultra groups, known for their violent and often racist behavior, are notorious for their well-organized criminal operations, with ultra leaders reportedly earning thousands of euros every month from illegal activities.