‘Serious contender’ for Man Utd job summoned by police over MAFIA links

Inter Milan head coach Simone Inzaghi was questioned by police in connection with a mafia investigation just days after being linked with the Manchester United job.

Inzaghi is seen as a “serious contender” to replace Erik ten Hag at Old Trafford, although this survey casts a shadow over his prospects.

Simeone is said to have been interviewed by authorities about their investigation, which is looking into alleged violence, intimidation and other criminal behavior by Inter and AC Milan ultras, news agency Ansa reports.

It also says Inter vice-president Javier Zanetti could be questioned, as well as former Inter player Milan Skriniar, who is now on PSG’s books, and Milan captain Davide Calabria.

These officials and players are all said to have come under “pressure” from the ultras groups.

Neither Inter nor AC Milan are under formal investigation, but both must prove they have cut ties with the ultras groups in question.

What is Simone accused of?

Ansa reports that the clubs are, however, accused of “making illegal concessions in economic activities, including ticket sales”. They allegedly provided tickets to “people belonging to criminal organizations, which were then resold at a huge price.”

The report continues: “These people were under investigation as to whether they had been convicted of ‘mafia-like criminal association that transferred the money to the mafia family to which they belonged.’”

Simeone is particularly embroiled in this case because he had a ‘meeting’ with ultra leader Marco Ferdico and was explicitly asked to use his influence ‘to obtain another 200 tickets’ for the 2023 Champions League final in Istanbul.

It is claimed that following this conversation, Inzaghi agreed to speak to the club’s leaders.

Inter is said to have been in a “situation of subjugation towards the members of the Curva Nord” and “granted them favors even though they were forced to do so”.