The ongoing investigation into the ultras scandal involving Inter and AC Milan has implications not only for criminal justice but also for sports law. Federal prosecutor Giuseppe Chiné has requested non-confidential investigation documents from the Milan Public Prosecutor’s Office to examine potential violations of sports regulations by the clubs and their registered members.
Calciomercato report that the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) Code of Sports Justice, specifically Article 25, prohibits clubs from financially supporting organized fan groups and forbids registered members from having unauthorized relationships with supporter groups. Violations of these rules can result in fines for both clubs and individuals.
For Serie A clubs, fines range from €10,000 to €50,000, while individual registered members face potential fines of up to €20,000 each. However, according to reports from La Gazzetta dello Sport, neither Inter nor Milan are at risk of point deductions in the league standings.
This assessment is partly based on a precedent set by Juventus in 2017. In that case, then-federal prosecutor Giuseppe Pecoraro initially sought a 30-month ban and a €50,000 fine for Juventus president Andrea Agnelli, along with stadium closures. The Federal Court ultimately reduced the sanctions, fining Agnelli €100,000 and imposing a €600,000 fine on Juventus, with a one-match closure of the Curva Sud section of their stadium.
Given this precedent, it appears that Inter and Milan are more likely to face financial penalties rather than sporting sanctions that would affect their league position. The clubs and any implicated individuals will be required to answer questions from the prosecutor regarding their relationships with supporter groups, as mandated by FIGC regulations.
