Inter Milan faces scrutiny for its indirect connections to criminal activities, which has raised serious concerns among authorities and the public. This issue coincides with the suspension of referee Fabio Maresca, who was removed from officiating duties following alleged threats during a match in the Kuwait Premier League. Initially set to officiate a Champions League match, Maresca has been sidelined due to conflicting reports regarding his comments to a player. While Inter is not currently under investigation, the implications of these incidents could affect the club’s reputation and the integrity of officiating in football, highlighting ongoing challenges within the sport.
‘Inter has indirect ties to crime’
Prosecutors disclosed in court documents released Monday that Inter Milan has indirect ties to criminal activities. These connections arise from the illegal and often overlooked actions of its ultras, a group known for their passionate support but also for engaging in questionable behaviors. This revelation coincided with the authorities’ arrest of 19 leaders of the ultras associated with both Inter Milan and AC Milan, highlighting a significant crackdown on the issues surrounding these groups.
In their request for precautionary custody for the arrested ultras, Milan prosecutors Paolo Storari and Sara Ombra elaborated on the situation, stating that Inter “currently, alternating between negligent facilitation and subservience, has (indirectly) relationships with organized crime and stadium crime, unable to break off such relationships.” This statement underscores the situation’s complexities, pointing to a troubling intertwining of sports fandom with organized criminal elements.
A “preventive procedure” has also been initiated for the Nerazzurri and the Rossoneri. However, neither club is under investigation, as confirmed in yesterday’s announcements. This preventive measure does not involve any requests for judicial administration, which would indicate more severe legal consequences. Instead, it focuses on cross-examination with the legal representatives of the companies involved, suggesting a proactive approach to addressing the underlying issues without resorting to more drastic legal actions at this stage. This progress illustrates the continuous endeavors to uphold order and integrity within Italian football amidst growing worries about organized crime’s impact on the sport.
Referee Maresca Suspended Over Alleged Kuwait Threats
Italian referee Fabio Maresca has been suspended from officiating in Serie A for one month and removed from his Champions League duties for Tuesday’s match between PSV and Sporting CP. This follows allegations of threats he made during a game in the Kuwait Premier League.
Maresca officiated the Kuwait Premier League match between Kuwait SC and Al-Arabi on Friday evening, which concluded with a 2-0 win for the home team. However, reports on Tuesday reveal that one of the players filed a serious complaint against the referee.
Corriere della Sera reported that the incident occurred during a short conversation in English with Al-Arabi midfielder Khaled Al Mershed.
However, there are differing accounts of what happened. Corriere della Sera reports that some believe Maresca merely said something like “see you next time.” In contrast, others claim he went much further, allegedly stating: “See you next time, I’ll kill you,” which explains the seriousness of the repercussions.
According to Tuesday’s report, Maresca is not expected to face additional penalties in Kuwait. However, he has been removed from his Serie A responsibilities for the next month. He will not be part of the officiating team for Tuesday’s Champions League match between PSV and Sporting CP.
The 43-year-old was initially scheduled to serve as the fourth official tonight but will now be substituted by Daniele Doveri.
Maresca has officiated one Serie A match in the 2024-25 season so far: the 2-2 draw between Milan and Torino on the opening weekend.
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