Arson attempt on Report journalist

By Football Italia staff

The journalist who among other things recently investigated organised crime attempts to infiltrate the Juventus ultras was the victim of an arson attempt.

Federico Ruffo was behind the recent Rai 3 programme Report’s look into the 'Ndrangheta links with members of the Juve ultras groups, with tickets sold on at inflated prices.

There was also the death of Juventus fan Raffaello Bucci, who had been working for the club, but also collaborating with police.

It was ruled to be a suicide, but wiretaps suggest he could've been threatened before jumping off a bridge.

According to Il Mattino newspaper, Ruffo was at home in Ostia near Rome when at 4.30am a red cross was painted on his walls and petrol was poured on to the doorway.

Before it could be lit, the barking of a dog raised the alarm and the arsonists were chased away.

This is being considered an attempt at intimidation towards the reporter, although it is not clear who is behind it or which of his investigations prompted the reaction.

However, Ruffo and the Report crew had already said they received intimidatory messages and threats of legal action before airing the investigation on Juventus and their ultras.

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