Inter Star Midfielder Set to Testify in Ultras Investigation

Inter star midfielder Hakan Calhanoglu will soon take the stand to shed new light on the ultras case amid the ongoing investigation. According to Gazzetta dello Sport, the Turkish playmaker will appear before the court to testify on the matter that has had an earth-shattering effect on Italian football.

Calhanoglu should meet with the Milan Mobile Police unit upon his return to Italy. The Inter talisman is currently away on international duty with Turkey. Once he comes back, he’ll be brought in for questioning, with the hearing likely to take place next Wednesday or Thursday following Turkey’s UEFA Nations League fixture against Iceland on Monday night.

Investigators consider Calhanoglu a person of interest due to his intimate relationship with Marco Ferdico, a former leader of Inter’s Curva Nord ultras group. Currently in custody, Ferdico is among several suspects arrested by Italian police a fortnight ago over claims he carries close ties with the notorious crime syndicate ‘Ndrangheta.

Wiretaps revealed Ferdico admitting he had dinner with the 30-year-old Inter ace and his family in August 2023. The investigation also alleges that the two maintained frequent contact, accusing Calhanoglu of giving the former Nerazzurri fan jerseys as gifts, only for Ferdico to later pass them on to Antonio Bellocco.

Bellocco, gunned down on the street in early September, was reportedly close to ‘Ndrangheta, hence police’s inquiry.

Calhanoglu isn’t the first Inter member to take the stand. Simone Inzaghi and Javier Zanetti both gave depositions earlier this week.