'Ultra chief claimed Zanetti warned him of police probe'

In wiretapped call in anti-Mafia probe into Inter-Milan 'clans'

By: ansa.it

Oct 01 2024
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'Ultra chief claimed Zanetti w

A wiretapped conversation dating back to May 2023 between Inter ultra chieftain Marco Ferdico and former Inter Milan defender Marco Materazzi revealed that Ferdico, who was one of 19 people arrested Monday as part of an anti-Mafia probe into 'clans' of supporters of Serie clubs AC Milan and Inter, had allegedly learned from former captain Javier Zanetti that the police were probing 'ultra' leaders, according to court papers released on Tuesday.
    In the conversation, which was included in court papers filed by Milan's State attorney's office and the preliminary investigations judge (GIP) who issued 19 arrest warrants as part of the probe, Ferdico claimed he had learned about the probe from Zanetti who had told him that it was connected to the police investigation into the 2022 murder of historic ultra chieftain Vittorio Boiocchi.
    The circumstance of the leak will be "certainly investigated", said the court papers .
    Milan police flying squad and finance police early on Monday arrested 19 'ultra' football leaders on charges of criminal conspiracy, "aggravated by Mafia-style methods", assault and extortion accused, among others, of forming cartels managing soccer-related businesses, according to investigators.
    The top ultra leaders, including suspects connected to the Calabrian 'Ndrangheta crime syndicate, are accused of controlling business activities at Milan's Meazza stadium, such as ticket scams, drink and souvenir stands and protection rackets on parking spots.
    Investigators also believe they managed body guard services for celebrities and organized assaults on their behalf.
    Ferdico was very close to Antonio Bellocco, a member of the 'Ndrangheta crime syndicate who was allegedly killed on September 4 by Andrea Beretta, who is also a leader of Inter's fans and is currently detained on murder charges.
    Meanwhile investigative sources said Tuesday that 34-year-old Milanese rapper Emis Killa, whose real name is Emiliano Rudolf Giambelli, was searched as part of the police operation in Milan that led to the 19 arrests on Monday.
    Killa is not under investigation but his name appeared in court papers with that of other celebrities, including rapper Fedez, or Federico Lucia, over his relationship with ultra Milan chief Luca Lucci, who was among the suspects arrested on Monday.