Simone Inzaghi Testifies in Inter Milan Ultra Fan Mafia Probe

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Inter Milan head coach Simone Inzaghi has been implicated in a criminal investigation into the club’s ‘ultra’ fan groups, but not as a suspect.

Inzaghi was this week questioned by Italian authorities as a witness in a case seeking to uncover links between hardcore supporters of Inter and AC Milan and the infamous ‘Ndrangheta mafia. This high-profile investigation has already led to the arrest of 19 people, shaking the foundations of Italian football.

Simone Inzaghi’s involvement: a witness, not a suspect

Simone Inzaghi was questioned by Italian police on Wednesday as part of the investigation, but it was made clear he is not a target of the investigation. Instead, he acts as a witness and provides crucial testimony in a case that has shocked the football world. The investigation focuses on alleged links between the ‘ultras’ and organized crime, with authorities aiming to shed light on possible criminal infiltration of fan culture.

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The scope of the investigation includes claims that senior Inter ultra Marco Ferdico contacted Inzaghi directly just before the 2023 Champions League final. According to a 568-page arrest warrant, Ferdico requested the manager to lobby Inter’s directors to allocate additional tickets to the fan group. This has raised questions about how far the relationship between the club and its ultras extends.

Widespread arrests and ties to the mafia

The ongoing investigation has already resulted in nineteen high-profile arrests, including prominent figures from the ultra groups that support both Inter Milan and AC Milan. The suspects are believed to have links to the ‘Ndrangheta, a powerful mafia organization originating from Calabria, southern Italy, which has now become one of the most feared criminal syndicates in the world. The charges against those arrested range from mafia-related activities to extortion, assault and even drug trafficking.

Among those arrested are Luca Lucci and Renato Bosetti, leaders of the AC Milan and Inter Milan ultras respectively. Both men have had previous run-ins with the law, with Lucci having previously been convicted of drug offences. These arrests are a stark reminder of the deep-rooted ties between certain fan groups and organized crime.

The ‘Ndrangheta’s grip on football

At the heart of the investigation is the alleged infiltration of the mafia into the lucrative world of football, particularly Milan’s iconic San Siro stadium. Prosecutors believe that members of the ‘Ndrangheta attempted to take control of key revenue streams around the stadium, including parking, food and drink sales, ticket distribution and even souvenir merchandising. This attempt to monopolize various activities related to matchday activities points to a broader strategy of organized crime exploiting football’s financial ecosystem.

The investigation also revealed that some members of these fan groups may have been involved in drug trafficking, adding another layer of criminality to the case. Police conducted searches of the homes of more than 50 people, further revealing the extent of the mafia’s influence. Among those targeted in the raids were Giancarlo Lombardi, a former top AC Milan supporter known as ‘The Baron’, and Antonio Bellocco, a former local ‘Ndrangheta boss.

Football’s fight against organized crime

Italian football has long been vulnerable to the influence of organized crime, but this latest investigation has sent shockwaves through the sport. Authorities, including Italian anti-mafia prosecutor Giovanni Melillo, have expressed concern about the growing risks of mafia infiltration in both professional and non-professional football. Melillo stressed the need for football clubs and organizations to remain vigilant and not turn a blind eye to such dangers.

Inter Milan and AC Milan have both been named as “offended parties” in the case, with prosecutors urging the clubs to reassess their relationships with the ultras. While the clubs themselves are not under investigation, they must prove they have taken steps to cut all ties with dissenting supporters to prevent future infiltrations. Milan prosecutor Marcello Viola made it clear that clubs have put in place rules to prevent such incidents, but they must continue to strengthen these measures.

Club response and next steps

While the investigation continues, Inter Milan has remained largely silent on the matter. However, club president Giuseppe Marotta stated that the club is fully cooperating with the authorities. No further comment has been made, reflecting the sensitive nature of the ongoing investigation.

The investigation is far from complete and it remains to be seen what impact it will have on the relationship between Italian football clubs and their most fervent supporters. The involvement of organized crime in ultrafan groups underlines the complexity of managing fan culture while maintaining integrity within the sport. Italian authorities are determined to expose these links and end the mafia’s grip on football.

The investigation into the links between Inter and AC Milan ultras and the ‘Ndrangheta mafia has opened a Pandora’s box for Italian football. With high-profile arrests and allegations of mafia methods used to control various aspects of the sport, the investigation shines a light on the dark side of fan culture. For now, Inzaghi remains a witness, but the consequences for Italian football and its ties to organized crime could be long-lasting.

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