An Italian Soccer Federation
(FIGC) court on Monday banned Juventus President Andrea Agnelli
for one year for improper contacts with ultra fans including a
suspected member of the Calabria-based 'Ndrangheta mafia over
ticket touting.
Agnelli, 41, was found guilty of "endorsing, or in any case
not preventing" illicit relations to keep hardcore fans happy by
giving them tickets.
FIGC Prosecutor Giuseppe Pecoraro, who had requested a
30-month ban, said he would appeal, saying the involvement of
the mafia in the alleged touting was "extremely serious".
Juventus was fined 300,000 euros.
Juventus told ANSA it would appeal the verdict.
Juve stressed that the tribunal's sentence had "ruled out all
hypothesis of a link with members of organised crime".
Pecoraro had also requested that the Italian champions be
made to play two home matches behind closed doors, with their
stadium's curva sud stand shut for another game on top.
Agnelli, who was recently elected president of the European
Club Association, has said he only met the allegedly Mob-linked
ultra at meetings with groups of other supporters.
The fan in question, alleged 'Ndrangheta member Rocco
Dominello, has been convicted of ticket touting.
The FIGC tribunal said Agnelli had "sporadic" meetings with
Dominello and was not aware of his criminal background.
In a trial into suspected 'Ndrangheta penetration of the
Piedmont economy, prosecutors have asked a sentence of eight
years for him, and 12 years for his father Saverio.
The longest term, 17 years one month and 16 days, was asked
for Diego Raso, a member of the so-called Santhia' branch of the
Calabrian Mob.
Total terms of 112 years have been requested in the 'North
Piedmont' trial.
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