The recent investigation “Doppia Curva” by the Milan DDA into the infiltration of crime into the world of Milan and Inter fans has revealed that some Inter players, including Barella and Çalhanoglu, were found to be in contact with a well-known criminal linked to the 'ndrangheta.
Article Key Points
This discovery has raised questions about the management of athletes' personal relationships and the safety of the club.
The investigation, which involves several athletes, has highlighted how the fine line between friendships and potential legal problems can compromise the image and reputation of players.
Investigators are analyzing the details of the communications between the players and the identified individual, trying to determine the degree of involvement and any legal repercussions.
Everyone at Inter was looking for Pino. And Pino was there, always available, for everyone. Coaches, players, former players, managers: a whole galaxy of well-known names in football who, through Giuseppe Caminiti, a 54-year-old originally from Taurianova, obtained privileged access to the underground parking lot of San Siro.
A favor in exchange for tickets, signed shirts, greeting videos or simply a “thank you” to be repaid in the future. A system of relationships that, however, hid a dark side: Caminiti’s deep-rooted ties with the ‘ndrangheta and the protection of Giuseppe “u dutturicchiu” Calabrò, a leading figure in organized crime.
Pino's underground kingdom
Arrested at the end of September during a major operation by the Milanese DDA, Caminiti was considered the “king” of the San Siro parking lot. A kingdom built not only on his ability to do favors, but also on the strength of his criminal connections. “We wage war if they touch work,” he is said to have said, referring to the protection guaranteed by Calabrò. The investigations, supported by the analysis of his cell phone conducted by the Economic and Financial Police Unit of the Guardia di Finanza, have brought to light a dense network of contacts in the world of football, revealing how permeable this environment is to organized crime.
Favors and exchanges
Among the messages analyzed, those with Tommaso Inzaghi, son and agent of Inter coach Simone Inzaghi, stand out. “You have always been by our side — writes Tommaso — I will always try to do you a favor… me and my father.” And the favor arrives: an unobtainable ticket for the Inter-Lazio match in May 2024. With Hakan Çalhanoglu, on the other hand, it is a continuous exchange of “frate”, “bro” and little hearts, while Davide Frattesi secures a parking space for his mother in exchange for a signed shirt: “Great Pinù, the shirt is yours.”
Alessandro Bastoni is no exception: he promises a shirt (“I’ll leave it to you tonight”) and gives “3 hospitality bracelets” to the defender’s father. Nicolò Barella, on the other hand, is concerned about a cousin and a brother-in-law: “Tonight I’ll give you that thing I promised you,” assures the midfielder. And the confidential tone doesn’t change with Inter managers, like Claudio Sala, head of security, or Paolo Bordogna, security officer at the Meazza stadium.
A consolidated system
What emerges from the investigations is a well-oiled system of favors and exchanges, where the parking lot of San Siro becomes a valuable commodity. A parking space can be worth a signed jersey, a ticket for a match, or simply a “thank you” to be repaid in the future. And Caminiti, with his network of contacts and the protection of the 'ndrangheta, was the right man to obtain all this.
The investigations did not reveal any criminal offences directly linked to the players or managers, but they did reveal a dangerous mechanism: the ease with which organised crime can infiltrate the world of football, exploiting personal relationships and small favours. A system that, although apparently harmless, risks opening the doors to much darker influences.
Now, with Caminiti in prison and the investigations still ongoing, the world of football is wondering how extensive this plot is and how to protect itself from future infiltrations. Because, as this story shows, sometimes the danger does not come from big scandals, but from small favors done in the basement of a stadium.
Responses from the club
Inter, in this context, has declared its willingness to collaborate with the competent authorities and has stated that it takes the matter very seriously. A spokesperson for the club has stressed that "the safety and integrity of our players are fundamental".
Article published on 14 February 2025 - 10:20
The article highlights a serious problem in football. The relationship between athletes and organized crime is worrying and could have consequences for the image of the club. Additional security measures to protect players would be useful.