Milan And Inter Ultra Leaders Face Trial Over Organised Crime Allegations

A group of hardcore AC Milan and Inter Milan supporters will face trial on Tuesday over alleged organised crime activities linked to the Serie A clubs ultra groups. The case involves over a dozen individuals accused of various serious offences, including criminal conspiracy aggravated by mafia methods-an accusation typically reserved for Italy's most notorious criminal organisations.

The trial will take place in a high-security courtroom adjacent to Milan's San Vittore prison, following last year's arrests of 19 suspects. Sixteen of them have opted for a fast-track legal process, which allows for a quicker resolution based solely on prosecution evidence, with the possibility of reduced sentences if convicted.

Authorities claim the crimes centred around San Siro stadium on matchdays, encompassing illicit ticket sales, control over parking areas and concession stands, as well as taking payments to grant unauthorised entry to the venue. Among the most prominent figures facing trial are Renato Bosetti and Luca Lucci, who led the Inter and Milan ultra factions at the time of their arrests in September.

Bosetti assumed leadership of Inter's Curva Nord following the shocking murder of Antonio Bellocco, a descendant of a powerful Ndrangheta mafia family from Calabria. Bellocco was fatally stabbed by Andrea Beretta, a convicted criminal and former leader of Inter's ultra group, during an altercation outside a boxing gym. Beretta, who was already imprisoned for the killing at the time of last year's arrests, is also among those standing trial.

Prosecutors allege that Beretta and another defendant, Marco Ferdico, had brought Bellocco into their ranks to strengthen their control over the lucrative ultra scene, aiming to sideline violent far-right hooligan groups. Investigators uncovered wiretaps in which Bellocco was instructed to keep away your countrymen, referring to fellow Calabrian mafia members.