The Italian Football Federation (FIGC) has officially announced that Inter Milan head coach Simone Inzaghi and player Hakan Çalhanoğlu have been suspended for one Serie A match and will miss the game against Hellas Verona on May 4.
According to the FIGC’s official statement, both Inzaghi and Çalhanoğlu violated the Sports Justice Code by engaging with an unauthorized fan group. Specifically, they had improper contact with representatives of Inter’s ultra group “Curva Nord,” including discussions involving requests for match tickets. However, in recent weeks, both parties reached a plea agreement with FIGC prosecutors during the pre-trial phase, leading to a reduction in penalties.
Full list of penalties:
• Hakan Çalhanoğlu: 1-match ban, €30,000 fine
• Simone Inzaghi: 1-match ban, €15,000 fine
• Club official Claudio Sala: 30-day ban from football activities, €14,500 fine
• Club official Massimiliano Silva: 30-day ban from football activities, €14,500 fine
• Inter Vice President Javier Zanetti: €14,500 fine
• Club official Fabio Panza: 30-day ban from football activities, €13,000 fine
• Inter Milan: €70,000 fine
• AC Milan: €30,000 fine (also under investigation for similar incidents)
Background:
An investigation revealed that since the 2022–23 season, Çalhanoğlu had repeatedly met privately with leaders of Curva Nord, discussing ticket requests and violating Article 25, Paragraph 10 of the Sports Justice Code, which prohibits contact with non-cooperative fan groups. Simone Inzaghi admitted to acting as an intermediary, relaying ticket requests from ultra leaders to club executives ahead of the 2023 UEFA Champions League final, hoping to boost team support.
Despite Inter’s firm opposition to such conduct, both men continued their private interactions. Furthermore, Milan police wiretaps showed Çalhanoğlu was aware his actions contradicted club policy but proceeded anyway. The case intensified after the killing of an Inter ultra in September 2023, leading to multiple arrests and mafia-related charges against the fan group. Both Inzaghi and Çalhanoğlu were drawn into the investigation and questioned during hearings.