Inter Milan and Italy defender Alessandro Bastoni is under investigation by the Milan Public Prosecutor's Office on suspicion of child prostitution, as part of a wider probe into an alleged escort ring operating in the Milan area.
The 27-year-old has been summoned to appear before prosecutors to answer allegations that he paid for sex with a 17-year-old girl in June 2020. Because she was a minor at the time, paid sex would constitute child prostitution under Italian law.
Bastoni's lawyer, Salvatore Scuto, released a statement saying: "My client is very shaken by this. I can rule out that he ever engaged in paid sexual relations, let alone with minors."
According to reports from Italian newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport cited by the Associated Press, the girl has already been questioned by investigators. While she confirmed staying at Bastoni's house, she has denied having sexual relations with the footballer. The defender has been summoned to appear before prosecutors for questioning in the coming days.
The investigation adds to what has been a turbulent period for Bastoni. The centre-back was sent off during Italy's crucial World Cup qualifying playoff against Bosnia and Herzegovina, a match the Azzurri went on to lose on penalties, extending their absence from the World Cup to a third consecutive tournament — a devastating outcome for Italian football.
Bastoni and his family also faced online abuse following a controversial incident in February during a Serie A match against Juventus, when he appeared to dive in an attempt to get an opposition player sent off. The episode sparked heated debate about sportsmanship in Italian football.
The case has sent shockwaves through Italian football. Bastoni continues to train with Inter under Simone Inzaghi while the legal process unfolds, though the investigation could have implications for his availability for the national team.
Sources
- https://apnews.com/article/bastoni-inter-child-prostitution-48efb4ab2e763ce84da2e91acaea87f5
