What Calhanoglu suspension means for Inter, Napoli and Barcelona – Football Italia

Hakan Calhanoglu Inter (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

Reports on Thursday confirmed that Hakan Calhanoglu and Inter coach Simone Inzaghi will both have to serve one-match bans in the upcoming Serie A match against Hellas Verona on Saturday following an investigation into their relationships with ultras from unaffiliated supporter groups, which could have an impact on the Serie A title race and the Champions League semi-final second leg against Barcelona. 

Why have Inzaghi and Calhanoglu been banned? 

An investigation into the relationship between Inter, Milan, their staff, players and club ultras has been open since November. 

The inquest was opened following the arrests of several ultras with suspected links to mafia families in September. The arrests were made as a result of the murder of Antonio Bellocco, a leading member of Inter’s Curva Nord, by a fellow supporter at the beginning of September. 

The investigation has found that Calhanoglu, Inzaghi, Nerazzurri vice-President Javier Zanetti and several others had conversations with ultras that have broken FIGC rules. 

Specifically, Inzaghi and Calhanoglu were found to have breached Articles 4 and 10 of the sporting code of justice, which prohibits players and coaches from having relationships with fans who are not part of officially recognised supporter groups. 

As a result, Calhanoglu and Inzaghi have been handed one-match bans, which means that they will be suspended for Inter’s upcoming Serie A match against Verona. The midfielder has also been given a €30,000 fine, and a €15,000 fine for the coach. 

What Inter will do without Inzaghi and Calhanoglu

This is not the first time this season that Inzaghi has had to serve a touchline ban in Serie A. On each of the previous times this has happened so far in 2024-25, his assistant Massimiliano Farris stood in on the touchline, and the same is expected to happen again for the Inter-Verona match on Saturday. 

Inter have a number of options to replace Calhanoglu against Verona. 

Kristjan Asllani has often been the go-to replacement when Calhanoglu has been unavailable in 2024-25. 

There is another boost in the fact that Piotr Zielinski returned from injury off the bench during the 3-3 draw against Barcelona in the Champions League on Wednesday night, which provides another option. 

Additionally, Inter have occasionally fielded Nicolo Barella in the ‘Calhanoglu role’ in emergency situations this season, with Davide Frattesi playing in Barella’s usual position on the right of midfield when that has happened. With Asllani available and Zielinski back, though, this is an unlikely situation.

What Calhanoglu and Inzaghi bans mean for Napoli and Barcelona

After consecutive 1-0 losses against Bologna and Roma in Serie A over the last fortnight, Inter are no longer in control of the title race. 

Last week’s 1-0 loss against Roma means that Antonio Conte and Napoli now have a three-point lead at the top of the Serie A standings with four games of the 2024-25 season left to play. 

Naturally, Inter having to go without a key player in Calhanoglu, and their head coach in Inzaghi, only comes to benefit the Partenopei. 

In terms of the second leg of the Barcelona Champions League semi-final, both Inzaghi and Calhanoglu will be involved as usual. Sitting out of a game ahead of the Barcelona second leg is arguably a benefit to Calhanoglu, who will be more rested as a result.