The journalist who investigated the links between Juventus and the mafia has had an ominous red cross painted on his house and petrol doused over his garden in an “unacceptable threat”.
Italian journalist Federico Ruffo investigated the links between Serie A champions Juventus and the ‘Ndrangheta criminal organisation based in Southern Italian region of Calabria for the ‘Report’ TV programme.
Ruffo has now revealed that since his investigation was broadcast an ominous red cross was sprayed onto a wall of his property and petrol was scattered around his garden in what the Italian government has called an “unacceptable threat”.
The journalist says he was sure the criminals wanted to set fire to his garden but they fled before they could so as his dog started barking at them.
Police are investigating the case and Ruffo has received many messages of support, including from the Governor of Lazio, Nicola Zingaretti, who defended the “freedom of the press as a value of democracy”.
The Deputy Prime Minister of Italy and Minister of Economic Development, Labour and Social Policies, Luigi Di Maio, said it was “unacceptable that in 2018 there are despicable people who try to shut people’s mouths with these types of threats”.
Ruffo’s report looked into the infiltration of Juventus supporters groups by the ‘Ndrangheta criminal group so they could get tickets for touting.
In June 2016, an alleged leader of a group of Juventus ‘ultras’, Rocco Dominello was sent to seven years and nine months in prison for allowing the ‘Ndrangheta to infiltrate the group and for ticket touting.
According to a Turin tribunal, ticket touting was carried out by supporters group who were organised and managed
by the ‘Ndrangheta.
On 25 September 2017 Juventus chairman Andrea Agneli was banned for one year and fined 20,000 EUR (17,665
GBP) for his role in selling tickets to ultras. In December 2017 his ban was lifted but his fine was raised to 100,000 EUR (88,326 GBP).
The investigation into the vandalism of Ruffo’s property is ongoing and no arrests have been reported.
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Story By: Alex Cope, Sub-Editor: Joseph Golder, Agency: Golder’s News And Sport
