World Cup Winner Arrested for Ndrangheta Links

Former Juventus striker Vincenzo Iaquinta will stand trial for alleged mafia links.
Former Juventus striker Vincenzo Iaquinta will stand trial for alleged mafia links.

The 2006 World Cup-winner was indicted for illegal possession of firearms, according to Deutsche Welle and Agence France-Presse, as well intention to aid the ‘Ndrangheta, the Calabrian mafia.

Iaquinta’s lawyer, Carlo Taormina, also revealed that the player’s father Giuseppe faces a more serious charge of mafia association.

More than 140 people are also set to stand trial in the case, with 71 opting for a separate fast-track trial.

Several suspects are suspected of having helped the ’Ndrangheta profit illegally from reconstruction projects in the Emilia Romagna region after two earthquakes in 2012.

Others are believed to have been helping the ‘Ndrangheta to infiltrate the north of Italy, where the organisation is traditionally weaker.

Judge Francesca Zavaglia said the trial would begin on 23 March.

Iaquinta hasn't made a Serie A appearance since a loan spell at Cesena in 2012.

I posted it after you,i have no idea how i missed your post.

Sorry.

No worries. Shame about Iaquinta. I'll always remember him for his goal against Ghana in 2006.

If there doubts the lawyer that chosen Carlo taormina made fly away it. Taormina is the kind of lawyer that defence only true criminals.Take a look to his past clients if you don't believe me.

Is that the guy who tricked Zidane into headbutting in the chest him in the finals?

No, that was Marco Materazzi.

thanks, baldo.


My relatives LOVE soccer, but I only watch during the WC and I only remember when people choke or do controversial things.

On topic of the thread though, I thought an "unofficial rule" was that as a member of a World Cup winning team that you can do whatever you want for the rest of your life and avoid prosecution as a national hero.

I used to joke that Derek Jeter(American sports legend) was so popular, he could go to the United Nations and smack ANY world leader in the face ON CAMERA and get away with it.

We love sports heroes here but NOTHING like how World Cup winners are loved in home countries.

I'll think you'll find it's called football my man.

Rumors says that Iaquinta hidden 2 guns for his father that is a high level ndranghetanthista, and said to the cop where find the guns. However is illegal possessione that is against the law but is a kind difference respect the accuse of favoreggiamento (Can be translated as "to help an OC association")

thanks furio,

so the possession charge has stiffer penalty because it's also being an accessory to crime committed by OC member.


@mike,

Over here it's called soccer . As the late great Yogi Bera might have said "When in Rome..do as the Neapolitans"

Was a great part of that 2006 team. I have his jersey from when he played at juve.

Futbol actually. Here in America, it's spelled that way to differentiate it from the NFL.

One of the shittiest strikers to play for Italy in recent times along with Gilardino and Matri.

Remember the glory days? Del Piero, Totti, Vieri, Inzaghi.....

Now all they have is Graziano Pelle.

Pretty boy Pelle, when he played over here for Feyenoord they saw an increase of women visiting the stadium of about 10%..

I thought they were coming to see Dirk Kuyt?

Haha....Dirk Kuyt does look like that fella off the goonies big time!

LOL Poor Dirk, he isn't the most handsome guy on the block, but he sure has a heart of a lion..

I'm an Everton fan fella, so he's not exactly my most favourite person in the world