Italian player, one of the 140 poeple facing trial for mafia link.

An Italian judge has ordered more than 140 people to face trial for alleged mafia links. One of the accused is former Italian soccer star Vincenzo Iaquinta, who police say helped the ‘Ndrangheta crime network expand its operations in the north of Italy.

On Monday, a
court in the city of Bologna announced that mob bosses, businessmen and former Italian World Cup winner in 2006 Iaquinta were among those indicted on charges of helping or being members of Italy’s largest mafia group.

Mafia responsible for 20% drop in GDP in southern Italy - study
The ‘Ndrangheta is based in the southern Italian region of Calabria and has become the main organized crime network in the country over the last decade, mainly due its drug smuggling operations.