Shadows of the mafia/ Saviano's strong accusation: As long as Marotta is around, Serie A will be manipulated

2026-02-15 21:11:45Sport SHKRUAR NGA REDAKSIA VOX
Saviano and Marotta

The “Bastoni” case after the much-discussed match between Inter and Juventus has also been the focus of Roberto Saviano’s attention. The renowned Italian writer has dedicated a long commentary to the episode that affected the derby match and caused a storm in the football of the neighboring country. The simulation of the black and blue defender, Bastoni, led to the red card of the Juventus defender, Kalulu. Juventus remained with 10 men for more than part of the match. Inter won 3-2, taking 3 decisive points in the race for the Scudetto.

“As long as this man has a role in Italian football, everyone will feel that the championship is rigged ,” Saviano says, posting a photo of Inter president Giuseppe Marotta. “ Chiellini’s anger last night seems like the feeling of someone who has never had anything to do with Marotta. The Italian championship is rigged today, and even if Inter were to win it, it would be worthless ,” the writer says.

"This is not an attack on the players and fans, who are the first victims of a system that is not entirely transparent. As long as certain dynamics remain intact, the championships will never be normal. This is another episode involving Inter, while the black and blue fans are facing attacks. The Audero incident is one of the consequences that the Italian football system has pretended not to understand ," says Saviano, referring to the fireworks thrown by Inter fans that shocked Cremonese goalkeeper Audero.

The stories of the 'Ndrangheta's infiltration of organized fandom are not fantasy. They have ended up in courtrooms, in documents and in investigations. Regarding the relationship with Inter, there is a specific passage in a court order.

"The investigations carried out have revealed that Inter was in a situation of subservience to the members of the Curva Nord, effectively helping them, albeit reluctantly ," Saviano quotes the court order.

“This is not about Inter against others. It is not a question of colours. The problem is not football; football is the manifestation of the problem. In a normal country, some questions would have already found definitive answers. Those who try to explain these dynamics are often inundated with accusations of bias. In Italian football, normal conditions seem to be the exception. And as long as that is the case, every victory will be accompanied by a shadow,” he continues.

"It's not a matter of sporting likes or dislikes. This is not about Inter against anyone. It's about the system. When a court decision affirms the existence of a 'situation of subordination' to the Curva Nord, the issue is no longer a sports bar issue. It's institutional. It's structural."

"When, on such sensitive issues, Italian football reacts with selective caution, silence or official versions that are later contradicted by the facts, the problem is not the result of a match, " he reiterates.

"The problem is credibility. Players and fans are the first victims of a system that too often protects itself before it protects transparency. Football is simply the manifestation of the problem. And until we have the courage to fully address it, every victory will be accompanied by a shadow ," Saviano concludes.


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