Headquarters and Homes Searched in Extensive Probe
Italian tax police, known as the Guardia di Finanza, conducted searches on Thursday, February 4, 2026, at the headquarters of Triestina Calcio, a third-tier football club, and the residences of 15 individuals. The operation, coordinated by the Public Prosecutor's Office of Trieste, is part of a broader investigation into alleged money laundering, false accounting, and tax offenses. Searches were carried out in the cities of Trieste, Venice, and Rome.
Focus on Financial Irregularities and Ownership
The investigation centers on significant financial flows, with authorities suspecting possible money laundering involving 'millions of euros' that entered the club's accounts between 2022 and 2025. These funds are reportedly linked to both Italian and foreign companies. The probe also examines alleged 'false corporate communications' related to fictitious capital contributions that may have masked actual financing, and the use of 'invoices for non-existent operations' valued at approximately 900,000 euros.
Triestina Calcio is currently owned by the U.S. cryptocurrency company House of Doge. Previous owners, Atlas Consulting and LBK Capital, are also under scrutiny as part of the investigation. The club has faced considerable financial challenges, accumulating losses of around 60 million euros over the last five years.
Broader Context and Previous Penalties
The current investigation is reportedly connected to a wider inquiry into state-guaranteed financing provided by Banca Progetto, an institution that was later placed under extraordinary administration. This is not the first time the club has faced scrutiny; Triestina Calcio has already endured a difficult season, including a 23-point penalty for other irregularities.
The Economic-Financial Police Unit of the Guardia di Finanza of Trieste is leading the operational aspects of the investigation, which remains in its preliminary stages.
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