Italian police arrest 19 people in major investigation into mafia links to ‘ultra’ fans of Milan football – Winnipeg Free Press

ROME (AP) — Italian police have arrested 19 people, accused of criminal ties to the powerful ‘Ndrangheta mafia group, in a move that decimated the fan clubs supporting Serie A teams Inter Milan and AC Milan.

Prosecutors said at a news conference Monday that possible charges include criminal association, involving the use of “mafia methods,” extortion, assault and other serious crimes.

According to the wide-ranging investigation, the criminal gang was linked to ‘Ndrangheta – the Italian mafia organization that has developed in recent years into one of the most powerful crime syndicates in the world, competing with the better known Sicilian mafia.

Prosecutors allege the suspects attempted to take control of all lucrative business activities surrounding Milan’s Giuseppe Meazza Stadium – also known as San Siro – including parking, food, tickets and souvenir sales. Investigators said some suspects may also have been involved in drug trafficking.

Police searched the homes of more than 50 people, including Giancarlo Lombardi, once a top AC Milan fan known as ‘The Baron’, and that of Antonio Bellocco, a former local ‘Ndrangheta boss who was murdered a few weeks ago .

Among those arrested were Luca Lucci and Renato Bosetti, leaders of the AC Milan and Inter Milan ‘ultra’ fan groups respectively. Lucci had previously been convicted on drug-related charges.

Christian Rosiello, described by local media as the bodyguard of popular Italian rapper Fedez, was also among those arrested.