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Italy's Serie C soccer team FC Crotone has been subjected to judicial administration for a twelve-month period following authorities found compelling evidence” pointing to pervasive Mafia infiltration.

Background of the Case

The Calabrian club, located in the southern area of Calabria—known to the notorious ’Ndrangheta Mafia—currently ranks in seventh place in Serie C with 5 points earned after 4 games. They previously played in Italy’s top flight for two straight campaigns nearly a decade ago, including the 2020-21 term.

Consequences of the Decision

The recent judicial ruling means the fact that Crotone will continue its sporting operations with the supervision of judicially assigned administrators. Notably, FC Crotone as an entity has not been placed under criminal inquiry.

Through a statement, Crotone emphasized that it would “actively collaborate with the court-designated supervisors in continuing their activities in the best interests of the club, fans, and sport in general.” They also clarified that the judge’s decision “does not suggest complicity and collusion by the organization, its shareholders, or its managers and collaborators.”

Official Findings

The public prosecutor in Catanzaro, Crotone was “exposed, over the past ten years, explicitly and at the very least indirectly, to conditions of coercion and control by affiliates of area ’Ndrangheta groups.”

Specifically, the local crime syndicate managed to penetrated the team's stewarding and ticket sales divisions. The court-led administration regime is expected to help steer the club’s financial activities return onto a legal track.

Broader Context of Mafia in Italy’s Soccer

Mafia infiltration of Italy's football—including its lucrative merchandising and admission operations—remains a well-known phenomenon, amid recent probes targeting radical ultra fan factions at major clubs such as Inter Milan and Milan.