Simone Inzaghi and Hakan Çalhanoğlu Banned Following Ultras Investigation
Inter Milan head coach Simone Inzaghi and midfielder Hakan Çalhanoğlu have each received a one-match ban after an investigation into alleged links between club personnel and organized fan groups, including ultra factions connected to criminal organizations.
The disciplinary action stems from an ongoing probe launched after several ultras were arrested on September 30, suspected of having ties to mafia families. The investigation was triggered by the murder of Antonio Bellocco, a leading figure of Inter’s Curva Nord, by another supporter earlier that month.
According to Italian media reports, including Sky Sport Italia, it was discovered that several high-profile football figures—among them Inzaghi, Çalhanoğlu, Davide Calabria (AC Milan), and Javier Zanetti, Inter’s vice-president—had held meetings or communications with ultra representatives. Some of these interactions were found to have violated the regulations of the FIGC (Italian Football Federation).
As part of a plea deal with the FIGC, Inzaghi and Çalhanoğlu have accepted their respective suspensions and agreed to pay fines—€15,000 for the manager and €30,000 for the midfielder. The agreement spares both from a formal tribunal process.
This means that both will miss Inter’s upcoming Serie A clash against Hellas Verona on Saturday. While the legal shadow looms, it did little to disrupt Inter’s focus midweek, as they delivered a stunning Champions League performance against Barcelona.
