Organised crime gang tried to buy Lazio - police

A notorious Italian organised crime gang tried to buy soccer club Lazio through third parties using funds gained from violence and intimidation, authorities said yesterday.

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.

"He had a significant role because he was used as an external point of reference for the attempted acquisition," a source close to the investigation, codenamed "Broken Wings" (an ironic reference to Lazio's eagle symbol), told Reuters.

Chinaglia said at the time of the bid that he represented Hungarian pharmaceuticals group Richter Gedeon. The company denied any interest.

"Some 24 million euros were to be moved from Hungary as part of the sum to buy the Rome-based club," police commander Gianluca Campana, told reporters.

Lazio, who won the second of their two Italian titles in 2000, are stretched financially and finished 12th last season, being eliminated from the Champions League in the group stages and failing to make it back into Europe for the coming campaign.

They are not expected to challenge the top sides this term even though things look brighter following the arrivals of South Americans Mauro Zarate, Juan Carrizo and Matuzalem, as well as the return of Pasquale Foggia.