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Italian Serie C side Crotone have been placed under judicial administration for a year after authorities found “sufficient evidence” of widespread mafia influence over the club, the Catanzaro prosecutor’s office said on Tuesday.
Crotone, based in the southern Calabria region, home to the powerful 'Ndrangheta crime organization, is currently seventh in Group C of Serie C, with five points from four games. The club played in Serie A for two consecutive seasons about a decade ago and again in the 2020-2021 season.
The court's ruling allows the club to continue its sporting activities, but under the supervision of court-appointed administrators. Authorities stressed that the club itself is not under criminal investigation.
In an official statement, FC Crotone said it would cooperate closely with the judicial administrators "to continue the activity in the best interests of the club, the fans and the sport in general."
The club also clarified that the court's decision " does not suggest any collusion or involvement on the part of its shareholders, directors or associates ."
According to the Catanzaro prosecutor's office, over the last decade Crotone has been, "directly or indirectly, under conditions of intimidation and subjugation by members of local 'Ndrangheta clans." Investigations have revealed that criminal groups had mainly infiltrated the club's security and ticketing services.
The judicial administration aims to return Crotone's economic activity to a legal direction, authorities said. Mafia infiltration of Italian football, especially in the lucrative ticket and souvenir sales businesses, is a well-known phenomenon, with recent investigations involving ultras groups at big clubs such as Inter and Milan.
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