Allegations of Organized Crime Influence
Italian Serie B side SS Juve Stabia has been placed under judicial administration following allegations of mafia infiltration linked to the Camorra, one of Italy’s most notorious organized crime groups.
Based in Castellammare di Stabia, near Naples — the Camorra’s traditional stronghold — Juve Stabia currently sits seventh in Italy’s second division. Prosecutors revealed that extensive investigations had uncovered a system of mafia-style control over the club’s economic activities, implicating figures tied to the Camorra’s D’Alessandro clan.
Details of the Investigation
Authorities stated that individuals associated with the crime network exerted influence across multiple areas of the club’s operations — including ticketing, catering, cleaning, healthcare, and even travel arrangements for the first team.
According to Naples prosecutor Nicola Gratteri, “Players just had to play, while the Camorra took care of the rest.”
The findings prompted prosecutors, police, and Italy’s national anti-mafia body to place the club under court-appointed administration — a measure designed to restore transparency, integrity, and operational independence without halting the team’s participation in Serie B.
Brera Holdings’ Recent Investment
The developments come just months after Brera Holdings, an Ireland-based company listed on Nasdaq, acquired a 52% stake in Juve Stabia as part of its growing multi-club ownership (MCO) portfolio. The company, which also owns teams in Europe and Africa, has yet to issue a public statement on the matter.
Prosecutors noted that Juve Stabia’s current ownership “inherited longstanding economic relationships subject to mafia influence” and failed to implement adequate compliance measures to sever those ties.
Wider Crackdown in Italian Football
This is the latest in a series of actions by Italian prosecutors targeting the infiltration of organized crime into football club operations and supporter networks.
Just last month, authorities in Calabria took similar measures against FC Crotone, a third-tier club, amid investigations into mafia-linked control of matchday services and finances.
365247 Insight
The case underscores a growing governance challenge in lower-tier European football, where financially vulnerable clubs are increasingly exposed to illicit influence. While top divisions benefit from sophisticated oversight, smaller clubs remain susceptible to opaque ownership structures and criminal infiltration.
Italy’s judiciary is now signaling a zero-tolerance approach, aiming to re-establish credibility and accountability across the football ecosystem — a crucial step if Serie B and Serie C clubs are to remain viable, investable assets within the broader European football market.
Don’t Just Watch Sport, Understand It. Join the 365247 Newsletter for daily insights
