Inter Milan defender Alessandro Bastoni has declined to attend a scheduled interview with prosecutors investigating allegations of underage prostitution, his lawyer confirmed. The Italy international exercised his legal right to remain silent while fellow footballers appeared as witnesses in the widening probe into a Milan-based entertainment company.
Bastoni’s lawyer, Salvatore Scuto, told news agency ANSA that the centre-back would not attend the planned questioning session. This decision falls entirely within Bastoni’s rights under Italian law, comparable to the American constitutional protection against self-incrimination. Prosecutors had formally notified the defender this week that he was under investigation regarding an alleged incident from June 2020, when he was 21 years old.
Witnesses Assist Investigators
While Bastoni refused to speak, several other high-profile Serie A figures have cooperated with authorities. Lazio midfielder Daniel Maldini and former Bologna defender Kevin Bonifazi were interviewed as witnesses, providing testimony about the company’s operations. Arsenal defender Riccardo Calafiori is also expected to face questioning imminently regarding his knowledge of the firm’s activities.
These players are not under suspicion themselves. Authorities believe they may possess valuable information about the company, which organised “all-inclusive” evenings—including fine dining, entertainment and allegedly escorts—for wealthy clients. The investigation has uncovered links to 64 players from Serie A and Serie B clubs, though Bastoni remains the only footballer facing formal investigation in the scandal.
Legal Context and Current Status
The probe centres on claims that Bastoni spent time with a girl who was 17 years and eight months old at the time of the alleged incident. Under Italian law, paying for sexual services constitutes a criminal offence only if the prostitute is under 18 years of age. Relations with consenting adults above that threshold do not violate the statute, regardless of whether payment occurred.
Both Bastoni and the girl in question have formally denied that any sexual contact took place, or that money changed hands. The investigation continues to examine the operations of the Milan events company, which allegedly arranged encounters between clients and escorts at exclusive venues across the metropolitan area.
No charges have been filed against the Inter defender, and no trial dates have been announced. Bastoni remains eligible to play for Inter Milan while the investigation continues, with no sporting sanctions imposed at this preliminary stage. The club has not issued an official statement regarding the matter, though the player continues to train with the squad.