Inter defender Alessandro Bastoni has this week been formally notified that he is under investigation by Italian authorities regarding allegations of underage prostitution. The notification concerns an alleged incident involving a 17-year-old girl in June 2020 and forms part of a wider probe into a Milan-based events company.
The Investigation
Authorities are examining the activities of an events firm that organised entertainment evenings for high-profile clients, with links to 64 players from Serie A and Serie B clubs. Bastoni is currently the only footballer facing formal investigation in the scandal.
The legal focus stems from the age of the alleged victim at the time. Under Italian law, paying for sexual services constitutes a criminal offence only if the prostitute is under 18 years of age. Relations with adults above that threshold do not violate the statute.
Both Bastoni and the girl involved have denied that any sexual contact took place, or that prostitution occurred.
Witnesses Called
Several other players will assist investigators as witnesses rather than suspects. Arsenal defender Riccardo Calafiori, Lazio midfielder Daniel Maldini, and former Bologna centre-back Kevin Bonifazi are expected to provide testimony about the events company’s operations.
These players are not under suspicion themselves. Investigators believe they may possess valuable information regarding the nature of the gatherings arranged by the firm.
Legal Position and Next Steps
The case hinges on the specific age threshold of 18 under Italian prostitution law. If the alleged victim was 17 at the time of the incident, as claimed, any commercial sexual activity would be illegal regardless of whether the defendant knew her true age.
No charges have been filed, and no trial dates have been announced. Bastoni remains eligible to play for Inter Milan while the investigation continues. The club has not issued an official statement regarding the matter.