INTER MILAN Ultras walked out of Saturday’s game against Sampdoria after their former leader was killed in an ambush.
Vittorio Boiocchi, the renowned head of Inter’s Ultras movement, was shot outside his house on the outskirts of Milan.
The 69-year-old was gunned in the chest five times, according to Italian newspaper La Gazzetta dello Sport.
He was rushed to hospital before being pronounced dead.
The ambush took place just before Inter’s Serie A clash with Sampdoria at the San Siro.
And when news of Boiocchi’s death filtered through to the crowd, many of the Ultras in the Curva Nord section of the stadium headed for the exits.
Large numbers of the organised groups took down their banners and emptied their seats at half-time out of respect.
Aside from leading the Ultras movement at Inter, Boiocchi was also a notorious criminal.
He is reported to have been convicted of international drug trafficking, criminal conspiracy, carrying illegal weapons, robbery, kidnapping and theft.
Boiocchi spent 26 years of his life in prison.
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But he is regarded as a legendary figure among Inter’s Ultras movement.
Simone Inzaghi’s side were 2-0 up at the break against Sampdoria when fans walked out in tribute to Boiocchi.
Goals from Stefan de Vrij and Nicolo Barella put the Nerazzurri ahead before half-time.
Joaquin Correa then struck in the second half to seal a 3-0 team.
Inter are currently fifth in Serie A, eight points behind runaway leaders Napoli.
