September 17 – It feels like a cliché, but Italian football has once again found itself dragged into the world of organised crime. On Tuesday, Serie C side Crotone was placed under judicial administration for a year after prosecutors uncovered what they described as “sufficient evidence” of mafia infiltration.
The Calabrian club, which is located in what is considered to be Ndrangheta mafia country, was in the top flight of Italian football just four years ago.
While Crotone is not accused of wrongdoing themselves, the club has said that they will cooperate fully with court-appointed administrators, while also stating that the court ruling does not imply complicity from their directors, shareholders, or staff.
Italian prosecutors tell a different story, though, and paint a damning picture. For many years, it is alleged that the “Ndrangheta has exerted influence over security and ticketing operations for financial and nefarious gains.”
Unfortunately, this isn’t the first time the Cosa Nostra has dipped its hand into football. From the exploitation of merchandising and ticket sales to ties with ultra groups at prominent Serie A clubs, football has long been seen as an easy target for organised crime. The Crotone case reinforces the old cliché.
The problem of organised crime is no longer uniquely Italian, though. Across world football, dark money continues to flow into the game. From state-backed investment funds with geopolitical motives to owners with opaque financial records, or local clubs falling prey to criminal groups, the sport’s global reach makes it an attractive vehicle for both influence and profit. And in an era where financial sustainability is almost as important as performance on the field.
Crotone will continue to compete under judicial supervision, with its economic activities closely monitored to ensure a clean slate.
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