Mafia ties in the ranks of AC and Inter Milan ultras. Italian police cracked down on the Ndrangheta and arrested 19 people

Italian police have launched a wide-ranging investigation into the links of AC Milan and Inter Milan ultras to the mafia. The investigation, which has led to the arrest of 19 people, aims to uncover criminal links with the powerful mafia group ‘Ndrangheta.

• Italian police have arrested 19 people with links to the mafia group ‘Ndrangheta
• The investigation is targeting AC Milan and Inter Milan ultras
• Prosecutors say the suspects controlled lucrative activities around the San Siro stadium

Italian police have searched the homes of more than 50 people, including prominent members of two ultras groups – AC and Inter Milan. Among those arrested were Luca Lucci and Renato Bosetti, leaders of the aforementioned fan groups.

Lucci had previously received a sentence for drug offences. Investigators believe that these groups maintain links to the mafia organisation ‘Ndrangheta, one of the most powerful criminal groups in the world.

Prosecutors say the suspects were trying to control the profitable activities around the San Siro stadium. Some of the accused also had links to the drug trade.

Among those arrested is Manfredi Palmeri, a former politician and current businessman who allegedly played a key role in organising the illegal activities.

Police revealed that the suspects used mafia methods to intimidate and blackmail, which allowed them to control various business activities just around the stadium.

Prosecutors have uncovered control over activities around the San Siro stadium

Giovanni Melillo, Italy’s anti-mafia prosecutor, said. We must stop pretending that we do not see these risks.”

Marcello Viola, Milan’s prosecutor, in turn reported that AC Milan and Inter Milan are listed as “injured parties” in the investigation. But the two Italian giants must now prove that they have severed all ties with these deviant groups.

Source: X, ESPN