Milan Ultras Jailed in Mafia-Linked Trial
TDT | Manama
Fans tied to AC Milan and Inter sentenced over crimes involving 'Ndrangheta influence
Sixteen hardcore football fans from AC Milan and Inter have been sentenced to prison by an Italian judge, following a fast-track trial exposing mafia infiltration in the city's ultra scene.
The supporters—convicted of crimes ranging from murder and extortion to criminal association—received sentences of two to ten years. The verdict marks a significant moment in Italy's long-running battle against the criminal undercurrents in fan culture.
Prosecutors allege the ultra groups operated as 'private militias,' working with the powerful 'Ndrangheta mafia and far-right groups to control illicit schemes around San Siro stadium, including ticket scams and protection rackets.
Andrea Beretta, former leader of Inter's ultras, was sentenced to 10 years for the murder of Antonio Bellocco, a mafia figure and fellow fan. Beretta later turned state witness, earning a lighter sentence. AC Milan's ultra chief Luca Lucci, also under separate investigation for drug trafficking, was handed 10 years plus four years' probation for attempted murder and mafia association.
Around 200 AC Milan fans rallied outside the Milan courtroom as the verdicts were delivered.
Each convicted fan was ordered to pay €50,000 in damages to their club, plus €20,000 to Serie A. Civil proceedings may follow for further compensation.
A second verdict involving three additional AC Milan ultras is expected on June 19.
Investigators say the Milan case is part of a broader trend, with criminal groups increasingly infiltrating ultra factions across Italy and beyond—echoing recent findings in Greece.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Tribune
4 days ago
- Daily Tribune
Milan Ultras Jailed in Mafia-Linked Trial
TDT | Manama Fans tied to AC Milan and Inter sentenced over crimes involving 'Ndrangheta influence Sixteen hardcore football fans from AC Milan and Inter have been sentenced to prison by an Italian judge, following a fast-track trial exposing mafia infiltration in the city's ultra scene. The supporters—convicted of crimes ranging from murder and extortion to criminal association—received sentences of two to ten years. The verdict marks a significant moment in Italy's long-running battle against the criminal undercurrents in fan culture. Prosecutors allege the ultra groups operated as 'private militias,' working with the powerful 'Ndrangheta mafia and far-right groups to control illicit schemes around San Siro stadium, including ticket scams and protection rackets. Andrea Beretta, former leader of Inter's ultras, was sentenced to 10 years for the murder of Antonio Bellocco, a mafia figure and fellow fan. Beretta later turned state witness, earning a lighter sentence. AC Milan's ultra chief Luca Lucci, also under separate investigation for drug trafficking, was handed 10 years plus four years' probation for attempted murder and mafia association. Around 200 AC Milan fans rallied outside the Milan courtroom as the verdicts were delivered. Each convicted fan was ordered to pay €50,000 in damages to their club, plus €20,000 to Serie A. Civil proceedings may follow for further compensation. A second verdict involving three additional AC Milan ultras is expected on June 19. Investigators say the Milan case is part of a broader trend, with criminal groups increasingly infiltrating ultra factions across Italy and beyond—echoing recent findings in Greece.
Daily Tribune
21-05-2025
- Daily Tribune
India arrests 11 accused of spying for Pakistan
Indian authorities have arrested nearly a dozen nationals for allegedly spying for Pakistan following their most serious conflict in decades, local media reported citing police. Broadcaster NDTV reported Monday that authorities had arrested nine alleged 'spies' in the northern states of Haryana, Punjab and Uttar Pradesh. Punjab's director general of police Gaurav Yadav said Monday that his team had arrested two people 'involved in leaking sensitive military information'. Police had received 'credible intelligence inputs' the two men were involved 'in sharing classified details' related to New Delhi's strikes deep into Pakistan's territory on the night of May 6-7. A preliminary investigation showed they were in 'direct contact' with handlers from Pakistan's intelligence agency Inter-services Intelligence (ISI) and 'had transmitted critical information concerning the Indian Armed Forces,' Yadav added. In Haryana, police arrested a travel blogger last week on similar charges. Police say the accused woman travelled to Pakistan at least twice and had been in contact with an official from the country's embassy, local media reported. Others arrested include a student, a security guard and a businessman. The India Today news outlet reported 11 such arrests. It said the accused were 'lured into the spy network through social media, monetary incentives, false promises, messaging apps and personal visits to Pakistan'.
Daily Tribune
03-04-2025
- Daily Tribune
Real Madrid coach Ancelotti tells tax trial did not seek to defraud
Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti denied in court having intentionally committed tax fraud on the opening day of his trial for allegedly failing to declare income to Spain's tax office, the latest in a string of such cases targeting sports figures in the country. Prosecutors are seeking a jail term of four years and nine months for the 65-year-old Italian, accusing him of failing to pay more than one million euros ($1.1 million) due to undeclared earnings from image rights in 2014 and 2015 during his first spell at the club. They argue Ancelotti had only reported the salary he was paid by the club and had omitted income from his image rights in his tax returns during this period. Prosecutors allege he set up a 'confusing' and 'complex' system of shell companies to hide his extra earnings during this time from his image rights and other sources such as real estate. Ancelotti told the High Court of Justice in Madrid that this payment system had been proposed to him by Real Madrid, and that 'all the players do it' as did another former coach, Jose Mourinho. 'When the club suggests it to me, I put Real Madrid in touch with my advisor. I didn't deal with it because I had never been paid that way,' he said. 'I never realised that something wasn't right,' he added, saying he 'never considered committing fraud'. Ancelotti arrived at the court with his wife Mariann Barrena and his son Davide, who serves as assistant manager at Real Madrid. The trial is expected to last two days. The parties could reach an out-of-court agreement at any point in the process. Previous similar cases involving footballers have resulted in suspended sentences, often via an out-of-court settlement. Ancelotti told the court he never realised that the company he had set up to transfer these rights to him allowed him to pay less tax. 'At that time, all the players and coaches were doing it that way, it seemed like the right thing to do,' he said. Spain has cracked down in recent years on top football players who have not paid their due.
