On March 19, 2025, the Supreme Court of Cassation in Italy confirmed the convictions of five Juventus ultras involved in a pivotal case known as the 'Last Banner' trial. This landmark ruling has implications for organized crime within football fan circles, marking a significant shift in how such groups are regulated.
This case has drawn significant attention as it represents the first time a court has recognized a football fan group, specifically the Drughi, as a criminal organization. The ruling emerged from an investigation into the pressures exerted by these fans on Juventus Football Club during the 2018-2019 season, a period complicated by demands for specific privileges and tickets that led to claims of extortion.
The court’s decision touches on broader issues surrounding the relationship between organized fandom and football clubs in Italy. During this phase, numerous judicial challenges arose regarding the behaviors of these organized groups, which often leverage their influence to extract advantages from the clubs they profess to support.
The five defendants in this case, including well-known figures within the Drughi, faced serious charges related to criminal association and extortion. Dino Mocciola, the group’s leader, received an eight-year prison sentence, while other members, Salvatore Cava, Sergio Genre, Umberto Toia, and Giuseppe Franzo, received sentences ranging from 3.5 years to 4.5 years. According to reports, these fans had organized various disruptive activities, including coordinated cheers and protests, to amplify their demands towards the club.
Alessandro Cimmino, the deputy attorney general, made notable points during the trial about the organized nature of these efforts: "Un'azione convergente - organizzata dalle frange estreme, volta a condizionare le scelte della società...' The prosecutor's insights highlighted the extent to which the ultras sought to influence club policies, with tactics that can now be understood as characteristics of organized crime.
The Digos investigation, initiated after a formal complaint by Juventus, uncovered a troubling dynamic wherein the ultras exerted control and influence over club operations, including ticketing and game attendance. This situation raised alarm for many stakeholders in Italian football, begging the question of whether clubs could effectively manage their relationships with such powerful factions.
Luca Vincenti, a criminologist who has extensively studied fan violence and operational links between supporters and organized crime, expressed enthusiasm regarding the ruling. He remarked that the acknowledgment of such associations in criminal law now provides tools for greater repression of the phenomena linked to football hooliganism. “Adesso non bisogna trascurare il principio prossemico della tracciabilità,” Vincenti urged, suggesting that measures such as electronic tracking devices and formal registration for ultra groups must be instituted to curb their influence further.
As Vincenti has noted in various publications, including 'Diari di una domenica ultrà' and 'Dieci regole per fare il tifo', organized fan groups have long operated in shadows of football, intertwining with criminal enterprises. His insight emphasizes the significant risks posed when such groups are allowed to maintain anonymity.
This move towards formal recognition of criminal organizations among ultras coincides with growing calls for clubs to shoulder more responsibility regarding crowd control. As per Vincenti’s recommendations, there should be obligations imposed on football clubs to comply with regulations that prevent collaborations with fan-based organizations. Preventing the commercialization of violence and maintaining club integrity have become critical areas of concern.
The historical impact of this ruling can carry forward into how football clubs manage their ties with fans. With rising incidents of violence within stadiums, particularly from organized groups, it has become increasingly necessary to hold clubs accountable for the behavior of their supporters.
Additionally, the court has made it clear through its ruling that actions that previously went unpunished could now lead to significant legal consequences for involved individuals. It highlights a significant cultural shift in Italy’s approach to football violence and how it should be curtailed.
The five ultras will now see their sentences finalized as they move towards the compliance of the verdict handed down by the Cassation. There is anticipation regarding how this judgment will affect fan culture in Italy and whether it will serve as a deterrent against further organized crime within supporter groups.
The future of football in Italy may well be on a path to change, as this ruling encapsulates many of the ongoing struggles between clubs and their fans. It invites a closer examination of how these relationships evolve in light of new judicial precedents.
