Inter defender Bastoni under investigation in Milan underage prostitution inquiry | OneFootball

Inter defender Alessandro Bastoni is under investigation by prosecutors in Milan as part of an inquiry into underage prostitution.

According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, the 27-year-old received an avviso di garanzia, a formal notification under Italian law that a person is the subject of an investigation, and a procedural step rather than a charge or any finding of guilt, on Tuesday, and is expected to be questioned in the coming days.

He is reported to be the first footballer placed under investigation in the case.

The inquiry centres on an escort agency based in Cinisello Balsamo which prosecutors allege organised “all-inclusive” evenings for high-profile clients, among them footballers.

Bastoni’s name is linked to the case through the allegation that he had an encounter with a girl who was 17 at the time, with investigators citing a record of contact in chat messages, one reportedly dating to June 2020.

Significantly, the young woman, questioned as a witness, has reportedly said that no relationship took place between them.

FLORENCE, ITALY – OCTOBER 08: Alessandro Bastoni of Italy looks on prior to the Italy training session at Centro Tecnico Federale di Coverciano on October 08, 2024 in Florence, Italy. (Photo by Claudio Villa/Getty Images)

Three other players called only as witnesses, not suspects as Bastoni under investigation

Alongside the notice served on Bastoni, the Guardia di Finanza has asked three further players to provide information strictly as witnesses, with none of them under investigation: Daniel Maldini, Riccardo Calafiori and Kevin Bonifazi.

The investigation, led by deputy prosecutor Bruna Albertini and prosecutor Rosaria Stagnaro, is seeking to reconstruct how the agency operated.

No charges have been brought at this stage, and Bastoni is entitled to the presumption of innocence.