The Italian journalist who investigated the Juventus relationship with Mafia gangs received death threats, the Calcio Mercato newspaper reported on Thursday.
Journalist Federico Rufu said he had received threats from several "unknown" people on social networking sites.
"Some people went to his house and sprayed flammable materials on his garden, and painted an X with red paint on the wall," he said, calling the work "threatening."
Rufu investigated the involvement of the Mafia gang, which has an estimated 4,000 members in the southern Italian province of Calabria, in the distribution of tickets for the old lady's games and their penetration into the team's fan ties.
"During my career, I have touched on a lot of issues and I've done a lot of research, but what I'm living today I've never experienced before," he was quoted as saying by Calcio Mercato.
He continued: "In this period, I consider myself protected by the institution that I occupy, and by the security authorities that are following what is happening now."
He said he would continue his work and his inquiries, and expressed his happiness with the solidarity and praise he received from a number of officials and institutions in Italy.
