A notorious Italian organised crime gang tried to buy the football club Lazio through third parties using funds gained from violence and intimidation.
The plan by the Casalesi clan of the Camorra, the Naples version of the mafia, came to light as police in Rome served arrest warrants to 10 people including former Lazio player and president Giorgio Chinaglia.
In 2006 Lazio president Claudio Lotito was given police protection after receiving threats from 'ultra' fans who were allegedly trying to intimidate him into selling to a consortium led by Chinaglia.
Chinaglia was charged with market-rigging linked to his bid and had since been a fugitive in the United States. Allegations that the mafia were behind his bid have only now been revealed.
Lazio, who won the second of their two Italian titles in 2000, are stretched financially and finished 12th in Serie A last season. They are not expected to challenge the top sides this term.
