The grip of the ‘Ndrangheta mafia on Milan’s football ultras has turned the beautiful game into a battleground of crime and corruption.
Story Highlights
- ‘Ndrangheta’s deep infiltration into Milan’s football ultras has led to severe criminal activities.
- High-profile murders and a major police crackdown have shaken Italian football.
- The clubs, considered victims, face scrutiny over their connections to ultras.
- Law enforcement has launched an unprecedented response to restore integrity.
Mafia Infiltration of Milan’s Football Ultras
The Calabrian mafia, ‘Ndrangheta, has entrenched itself in Milan’s football culture, particularly with the ultras of Inter Milan and AC Milan. These groups, originally formed as passionate fan movements, have been corrupted into criminal enterprises under mafia control. This infiltration has led to extortion, drug trafficking, and violence, including high-profile murders, revealing the vulnerability of Italian football to organized crime.
The ‘Ndrangheta began its infiltration of Milan’s economic sectors and football fan culture in the 1970s. The ultras, once rebellious and anti-establishment, became targets due to their organizational structure and loyalty. The mafia’s influence grew, leading to systematic ticket scams and protection rackets, with clubs often finding themselves in subservient positions, unable to resist ultra demands.
🏟️ Everyone knows San Siro as Milan’s temple of football.⁰But recently, investigators uncovered a darker truth: the Mafia had its claws in the stadium.
Here’s how ultras, blood, and money turned calcio into a crime empire 👇 pic.twitter.com/hPG98DpCsg
— FootballshirtsJ (@FootballshirtsJ) September 11, 2025
Recent Developments and Law Enforcement Response
In September 2024, a major operation known as “Doppia Curva” led to 19 arrests, targeting leaders of both Inter and AC Milan ultra groups. This operation, prompted by escalating violence including the murder of ultra leaders, marked an unprecedented crackdown by law enforcement. Ongoing hearings and further investigations continue to unravel the mafia’s grip on the sport, with clubs declared as “offended parties” needing to prove their severance from criminally-influenced ultras.
Italian football now faces a critical juncture as it attempts to restore integrity and trust. The legal proceedings are ongoing, with the potential for further arrests and asset seizures. The clubs are under immense pressure to reform their relationships with supporters and overhaul stadium operations to prevent future infiltration by criminal networks.
Watch: The mafia is killing Italian football
Implications for Italian Football and Beyond
The infiltration of mafia groups into the football scene poses significant short-term and long-term challenges. In the short term, there is disruption of ultra groups and increased scrutiny from law enforcement, which has already caused reputational damage to the clubs involved. Long-term implications include potential restructuring of club-supporter relationships, reforms in stadium management, and broader anti-mafia measures.
Beyond Italy, this scandal serves as a warning to other European leagues about the risks of organized crime infiltrating sporting institutions. The global image of Italian football is at stake, potentially affecting sponsorships and investments. The situation underscores the need for effective oversight and reform to safeguard the integrity of the sport.
Sources:
The Calabrian Mafia’s Hold on Milan’s Football Stands
Inter and AC Milan Ultra Groups Investigation Explained: 19 Arrested, Club Involvement, What’s Next?
Italian Football’s Ultra Fans Caught in Web of Crime, Extremism
