Juventus president banned over ticket sales to mafia-linked fans

0
423
- Advertisement -

Juventus president Andrea Agnelli has been banned for a year for his role in the sale of match tickets to mafia-linked supporters’ groups.
The 41-year-old was also fined 20,000 euros (£17,600), while Juventus must pay 300,000 euros (£264,000) and three other club officials were banned.
Agnelli was accused of helping to sell tickets – later resold at a huge profit – to ‘ultras’ fans, some with alleged links to organised crime.
He and the club plan to appeal.
Prosecutor Giuseppe Pecoraro had requested a 30-month suspension and 50,000 euro (£44,000) fine for Agnelli at the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) hearing.
Pecoraro had also called for Juventus to be ordered to play two games behind closed doors.
“I’m partly satisfied because we’ve been able to prove the guilt of everyone involved, but the findings were so serious that, in my opinion, they should have been punished more, so we’ll appeal,” Pecoraro told AFP after the hearing.
“I think going to another court will be useful, bearing in mind they went to organised crime, and that is very serious,” he added.
Agnelli has denied dealing with Rocco Dominello, a supporter said to be close to the Calabria-based N’drangheta mafia group.
He did, however, recall meeting Dominello – who was sentenced to seven years in jail – according to AFP.
The court said Agnelli was not guilty of knowingly meeting with Dominello, and wrote in its ruling he was “totally unaware” of any illegality.
Investigators had been looking into whether Juventus gave tickets to ‘ultras’ fans to avoid violence or racial abuse in the stands that might bring fines or docked points. (BBC Sport)

- Advertisement -

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

14 + three =