The Curva Sud are the most notorious set of AC Milan fans, their visibility is unmatched, and their presence within the stadium is always felt. However, a dark shadow is hovering over them presently, and the shadow is darkening.
At present, the investigation into the links between the Sud, the mafia, and the Curva Nord – Inter’s group – is ongoing, but there have already been arrests made, and several members of both groups have been banned.
Information continues to come to light though, and from tomorrow, prosecutors will ‘begin hearing from some Milan and Inter members’, Simone Inzaghi and the Nerazzurri’s vice-president Javier Zanetti will be involved in these hearings, as will the Rossoneri’s captain Davide Calabria, according to Gazzetta dello Sport (via Pianeta Milan).
If there was a time to lay low, it would be now, but this has not been the case as the report states. Instead, the Digos found a ‘small arsenal’ on a coach of Diavolo fans which included knives, clubs and rods. Although no one has been charged so far, it would not be a surprise if some arrived.
Given the current investigations into criminalities within the organisations, travelling with knives ‘shows how the power dynamics between the fans are influenced by criminal interests’.
Stop calling them fans. They only cast a bad light on Serie A, and the whole of Italy. They are why Calcio will never be taken as a serious European league. Grown men acting like thugs. Grow up already.
Other national leagues are not much better. The league that is most touted, the EPL, is full of hooligans. Other European national leagues have had plenty of violent incidents too.
Even within Serie A, Inter ultras and Milan ultras have for decades behaved better against each other than for example, Genoa and Sampdoria supporters. Genoa this past round had to play within closed doors as punishment for violent incidents against Sampdoria fans in their Coppa match. This hasn’t been happening in Milano for decades.
Yes, I do know that Curva Nord and Curva Sud harbor criminal elements. I do not support any criminal elements in our organized fan groups, but it’s not why Serie A “will never be taken as a serious Europe league.”
Actually Serie A is taken so seriously, that it won a 5th spot for the UCL this season, outperforming the EPL, Bundesliga, and League 1 in European performance scores. By the way, it outperformed La Liga too; we were the #1 in that scoring competition for a 5th spot, and La Liga was second. The touted EPL didn’t make it. That’s not exactly not serious.
Clarifying my opinion:
Yes, the organized fan groups need to be cleaned up of any criminality, and that’s precisely what the Italian authorities are doing. That’s not a reason to take aim at Serie A. The league is doing quite well, is growing in worldwide popularity, and actually currently has the highest UEFA coefficient.