Italian police, in a major operation on Monday morning (30), arrested 18 leaders of the Inter and Milan fan clubs, accused of forming a gang, extortion and violence.
San Siro Stadium: scene of extortion and violence between fans
According to the investigation, and published by the newspaper Corriere, the two main curves of the San Siro stadium were involved in a criminal scheme, which included the collection of “pizzo” (a type of protection fee) in parking lots near the stadium, sale of inflated tickets and even aggression between members of the fans.
Na Curva Nord, from the Inter ultras, prominent figures such as Andrea Beretta, leader of the group, and Marco Ferdico, his deputy, were arrested. The Italian authorities claim that the group facilitated the activities of the 'ndrangheta, the Calabrian mafia, with direct connections to the Bellocco family.
The investigation also links the recent murder of Mafia heir Antonio Bellocco to an economic dispute between Beretta and Bellocco that culminated in a deadly confrontation.
In addition to the crimes of extortion and violence, the investigation indicates that disputes over control of Inter's fans, following the murder of Vittorio Boiocchi in 2022, intensified internal conflicts and fueled the mafia's power in the stadium.
On the other hand, in South curve, of the Milan ultras, leaders Luca Lucci, known for his photo with then deputy prime minister Matteo Salvini, and other members were arrested for violent assault and gang formation. Among those arrested is also Christian Rosiello, the singer's bodyguard Fedez, involved in the beating of a personal trainer in a nightclub.
The operation reinforces the growing involvement of organized crime in Italian football, where stadiums have become battlegrounds for the mafia and the stands a scene of extortion and violence.
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