Sixteen Inter, AC Milan Ultras Sentenced for Mafia-Linked Crimes

Sixteen hardcore supporters of Inter Milan and AC Milan ultras have been sentenced to a combined 90 years in prison following a fast-track trial for crimes including murder, criminal conspiracy, extortion, and mafia association. The case stemmed from a September 2024 murder of Inter ultra leader Antonio Bellocco, a member of the 'Ndrangheta mafia, by fellow supporter Andrea Beretta, who later cooperated with authorities as a state witness. Beretta and other ultras used mafia influence to dominate football fan groups and were involved in illegal activities such as ticket scalping, unauthorized parking control, and extortion around the San Siro stadium. AC Milan ultra leader Luca Lucci received a 10-year sentence for conspiracy and orchestrating the attempted murder of a rival ultra, while his associate Daniele Cataldo was also convicted. The courts ordered the ultras to pay damages to Inter Milan, AC Milan, and the Lega Serie A for reputational harm, with the clubs awarded €50,000 each and the league €20,000. Prosecutors described the ultra groups as "private militias" influenced by mafia and far-right extremist groups, with ongoing trials for additional ultras continuing.