Juventus President Andrea Agnelli testified that ultras were blackmailing the club with the threat of insulting chants that would generate fines.

The arrest of 12 ultras leaders this week caused controversy, but the details of the investigation are beginning to emerge.

According to the Corriere della Sera, Agnelli testified with a sworn deposition that the organised fan groups had become increasingly aggressive in their demands for free tickets and other extras.

Juventus President Andrea Agnelli testified that ultras were blackmailing the club with the threat of insulting chants that would generate fines.

The arrest of 12 ultras leaders this week caused controversy, but the details of the investigation are beginning to emerge.

According to the Corriere della Sera, Agnelli testified with a sworn deposition that the organised fan groups had become increasingly aggressive in their demands for free tickets and other extras.

“You go into the curva at your own risk, particularly the central sector. Not everyone in the curva is a delinquent, but there are certainly a series of ultra leaders who have criminal potential: Toia, Grancini and Mocciola.”

These are the three leaders of the historic fan groups Drughi and Viking.

“In 2018, in the light of events, seeing the evolution of the situation and our long-standing collaboration with the Police, we decided in agreement with my collaborators to file charges.

“We did this to leave written proof that we have been trying to fight this situation, a paper trail that did not exist until 2016.

“I’ve always been aware that the ultra groups, with a series of threatening and even violent behaviour, are able to blackmail and therefore damage the club.

“Even if the demands aren’t particularly violent, we are forced to adhere to them, knowing the possible negative consequences of chants or other behaviour which can lead to fines, or even stadium bans.”

Ultras groups were on strike during yesterday's 2-1 Serie A victory over Hellas Verona, either sitting in silence with no banners, or waiting outside the stadium to chant insults towards the club.

This was also the first time ever that the Allianz Juventus Stadium has managed to get stewards into the curva area, as usually they are repelled by the organised fan groups, who feel they control that section.

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