The carabinieri of Palermo arrested 4 alleged members of the Mafia clan Resuttana. They are accused of Mafia association and extortion. The order of arrest was given by the anti-Mafia unit of Palermo and was carried out to stop extortions and a possible escape of the people under investigation. One of the most important aspects of the blitz was the help of the victims who, breaking the wall of silence, admitted the requests of money. Among the victims there is also former Palermo player Gaetano Vasari, who now runs a bakery. The extortion, confessed by a Mafia informant, was confirmed by former Palermo wing who owns a shop near the stadium. The player denied damages by the Mafia, but said he received the visit of two people who asked him money for the families of two prisoners, the typical formula used in extortions. Vasari, who feared retaliation, gave them 1,000 Euros.

Translated by Chiara Nunnari from John Milton Institute