Gennaro Gattuso’s family falls victim to extortion in Italy

The family of Olympique de Marseille coach Gennaro Gattuso has fallen victim to extortion by the Calabrian Mafia ‘Ndrangheta, according to a report in L’Équipe.

Gennaro Gattuso et sa famille extorqués par des membres de la mafia calabraise ?

La puissante mafia calabraise, la ‘Ndrangheta, aurait extorqué 3000 euros à l’entraîneur de l’OM ainsi qu’à sa famille

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— La Provence OM (@OMLaProvence) February 3, 2024

According to reports, the local authorities have been aware of the situation for a few weeks and the latest details have been reported in the Italian press today (Saturday).

The dispute is said to have arisen from Gattuso’s father, Francesco, wanting to install solar panels on land he owned, for which ‘Ndrangheta demanded money and attempted to pressurise the family into paying by setting fire to Ida Elvira ( Gennaro’s sister) Gattuso’s car on two separate occasions, in October and December. 

According to Italian newspaper Il Fatto Quotidiano ,after Ida Elvira reported the incident to local authorities, the inquiry began in the form of telephone surveillance, one of which was her admitting to a friend that brother Gennaro had paid the requested sum of 3000€. This allowed the police to move in and arrest two ‘Ndrangheta members connected to the extortion. 

Marseille travel to Olympique Lyonnais tomorrow for Le choc des Olympiques. Kick off is at 7:45pm GMT.

GFFN | Jack McArdle