Inter Milan and AC Milan will have to demonstrate that they have severed links with ultras groups as part of the latest crackdown on alleged illegal ticket sales.
This according to Italian outlet Calcio e Finanza. They report that Italian anti-mafia authorities have opened a “preventative” case investigating the two clubs amid the latest ticket sales scandal.
Today, anti-mafia authorities in Italy have opened a high profile investigation into alleged activities by Inter ultras group the Curva Nord and AC Milan counterparts the Curva Sud.
The crux of the case is the group’s involvement in matches of the two clubs at the San Siro. Authorities have made a number of arrests of high-profile members of both clubs’ ultras groups.
But at the same time, there is also a case into both Milan clubs.
However, as Calcio e Finanza report, the clubs are not the subject of a criminal case. Rather, the case is a “preventative” one aimed at ensuring maximum compliance with the law.
Inter & AC Milan Must Show Severed Ties With Ultras Groups
The main concern of the anti-mafia authorities in Italy regarding this latest scandal is to ensure that Inter and Milan have not facilitated any illegal activities by their ultras groups.
There is no suspicion that either club have directly been involved in illegal activities.
These alleged activities have included drinks and concessions sales, parking spot extortion, and above all extortion.
Moreover, anti-mafia prosecutors allege involvement between Inter and Milan ultras and prominent mafia organizations, specifically from the Calabria region.
Inter and Milan may not have any direct involvement in such activities. But prosecutors will cross-examine the clubs to try and understand the extent they have facilitated the activities.
Calcio e Finanza report that prosecutors could invoke Article 34 of Legislative Decree 159/2011.
This article concerns potential negligence, inaction, or “poor internal organization” within a business that could facilitate illegal activities.
The authorities certainly would not file any criminal charges against Inter or Milan as part of the case.
However, prosecutors will review the clubs’ business activities. Specifically those relating to ticket sales.
If the prosecutors discover that the clubs’ management of matchdays at the San Siro has allowed for organized crime members to generate profits and “legitimate” their activities, then they could recommend measures.
Calcio e Finanza characterize potential measures as “therapeutic” rather than punitive, however.
The authorities will determine whether Inter and Milan can self-manage the process of disentangling themselves with their ultras groups amid this latest scandal.
However, there could be a possibility that prosecutors become directly involved. They could recommend a program to route out connections with alleged illegal activities.
Who’s Been Arrested In Latest Ultras Ticket Scandal?
The catalyst that set off this latest legal firestorm around the ultras was the murder of Antonio Bellocco. Bellocco was a high-profile member of Inter’s Curva Nord ultras group.
The perpetrator of the murder was Andrea Beretta. Beretta is another high-profile Inter ultra, who also has ties to organized crime.
Today, the investigation by authorities has led to nineteen arrests. Sixteen high-profile ultras are in jail currently. And then a further three are under house arrest.
Marco Ferdico is one of the leading members of the Curva Nord ultras group. Then, Milan ultras leader Luca Lucci has also come under arrest.
Both Lucci and Ferdico are “famous” in ultras circles.
Inter and Milan will have to demonstrate that they have sufficiently cut ties with these individuals and their alleged criminal activities as part of the ongoing case.
