Juventus are  thinking of protecting the club’s “honour and integrity” after a newspaper report linked club officials to hardline ultra-fans with organised crime connections through a ticket touting scam.

Juventus president Andrea Agnelli had met with ultra leader Rocco Dominello, who was arrested for association with the ‘Ndrangheta.

The report claimed the Calabrian mafia organisation infiltrated groups of ultra fans who follow the club, touting tickets supplied by Juventus for profit. Juventus vehemently denied the claims surrounding Agnelli in a statement which said: “In light of certain articles published in recent days, Juventus Football Club and President Andrea Agnelli have entrusted the protection of their honour and integrity to lawyers.

“It is noted the Turin public prosecutor has recently concluded an investigation into certain families considered to belong to the ‘Ndrangheta, who have been charged with criminal behaviour and the attempted infiltration of some of the activities of Juventus Football Club.

“It was also noted that no employee or affiliate has been investigated in criminal court. It is also noted that… the club has always co-operated by maintaining strict confidentiality to maintain the secrecy of the investigation.”