The investigation into the ultras of Inter and Milan has raised significant concerns for both football clubs, which have been designated as “aggrieved parties” by the public prosecutor’s office. Following the recent arrests of various fans, the authorities have decided to initiate a “preventive procedure” against the clubs. Giuseppe Chiné, the head of the federal prosecutor’s office, has requested documentation for further examination, particularly focusing on interactions between Inter’s coach Simone Inzaghi and the ultras, as well as former Milan defender Milan Skriniar. Central to this inquiry is Article 25 of the Sports Justice Code, which prohibits communication with organized fan groups.
Recent court documents shed light on various incidents detailing interactions between players and ultras, starting from 2023 and culminating around the Italian Cup and Champions League finals in Istanbul. Tensions arose as the leaders of the Curva requested 1,500 tickets for the matches, while Inter was only able to provide half that number. The ultras reportedly sought these tickets for profit, with intercepted conversations revealing they could resell €80 tickets for as much as €900. Marco Ferdico, a key figure among the ultras, even threatened to instigate a boycott of the Italian Cup final to secure more tickets.
In a heated exchange, Inzaghi expressed his frustration over the situation, demanding that the issue be resolved promptly. He engaged with club officials, including Javier Zanetti and CEO Giuseppe Marotta, and ultimately managed to secure the desired number of tickets for the ultras. The cooperation between the coach and the ultras raises questions regarding the propriety of such interactions, as these discussions could violate the regulations outlined in the Sports Justice Code.
The investigation has also revealed attempts by ultras to communicate with players directly. While an approach to Inzaghi fell through due to surveillance, they successfully engaged with Skriniar, who was about to leave the club for Paris Saint-Germain. The dialogue illustrated the tense atmosphere, as the ultras reportedly noted that Skriniar appeared nervous during their conversation. Meanwhile, the Milan ultras have been similarly scrutinized, with a documented meeting between Luca Lucci and Milan captain Davide Calabria, emphasizing the close ties between the clubs and their respective fan groups.
Both Inter and Milan could face serious repercussions, including the risk of being placed under judicial administration. However, they can avert this fate by improving their organizational controls, particularly concerning ticket sales. The clubs must demonstrate their ability to expel violent individuals from their ranks and enhance security measures to ensure fan safety. The current climate calls for immediate action, as the documented intimidation of stewards for free entry into matches raises further concerns about fan conduct and safety at games.
