So it turns out that the Neapolitan fans that caused all that damage on a train heading to their team’s match in Rome might have had some backing—The Naples Mafia, the Camorra. According to authorities, members of the Camorra had infiltrated the group of Italian hooligans and used that as a front to commit acts of violence on the train. Why? (/headbutt) That’s why.

Interior Minister Roberto Maroni has banned the Naples club’s fans from travelling to away games this season after the trouble, in which a Rome-bound train was ransacked causing half a million euros in damage.

“We have reason to believe that there was the influence of organised crime behind the incidents provoked by the Neapolitan fans,” Manganelli was quoted as saying by the ANSA news agency. “It’s no coincidence that this investigation has been entrusted to the DDA (District Anti-Mafia Department).”

It’s pretty bad when basically the Secretary of State bans a team’s fans from going anywhere. It’s like Condi Rice prohibiting Raider fans from heading down to San Diego because of a couple of stabbings that happen every year because some of them are part of Hell’s Angels trafficking meth downstate. It’s true, obviously, but still.

Police say mafia may be behind Napoli hooligans [Reuters UK]
Image [Reuters UK]