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

ROME — Italian police arrested 19 people accused of criminal links to the powerful mafia group ‘Ndrangheta’, 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.

“This investigation shows the risks of infiltration of professional and non-professional football by organized crime,” said Italian anti-mafia prosecutor Giovanni Melillo. “We need to stop pretending we don’t see these risks.”

Milan prosecutor Marcello Viola clarified that Milan’s two football clubs are “offended parties” in the investigation because they have established rules to prevent misconduct.

“But they will also have to prove that they have severed any relationship with dissenting supporters,” Viola added.

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AP Football: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer