Italian police arrest 19 people as part of a major investigation targeting mafia links to Milan football ultra fans

ROME – Italian police arrested 19 people accused of criminal links to the powerful mafia group ‘Ndrangheta, decimating the fan clubs that support Serie A teams Inter Milan and AC Milan.

At a news conference on Monday, prosecutors said possible charges include criminal association using “mafia methods,” extortion, assault and other serious crimes.

According to the extensive investigation, the criminal gang was linked to the ‘Ndrangheta – the Italian mafia organization that has become one of the most powerful crime syndicates in the world in recent years, rivaling the better-known Sicilian mafia.

Prosecutors allege that the suspects sought 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 of the suspects may also have been involved in drug trafficking.

Police searched the homes of over 50 people, including Giancarlo Lombardi, once a big AC Milan fan known as “The Baron”, and that of Antonio Bellocco, a former local ‘Ndrangheta boss who was killed several weeks ago.

Among those arrested were Luca Lucci and Renato Bosetti, leaders of the “Ultras” fan groups of AC Milan and Inter Milan respectively. Lucci had previously been convicted of drug-related offenses.

Among those arrested was Christian Rosiello, described by local media as a bodyguard for popular Italian rapper Fedez.

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

Milan prosecutor Marcello Viola clarified that the two Milan football clubs were “offended parties” in the investigation because they had introduced rules to prevent misconduct.

“But they must also prove that they have severed any relationship with dissident supporters,” Viola added.

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