Alessandro Bastoni, the Inter Milan and Italy defender, is under investigation by Italian prosecutors over alleged underage prostitution, as part of a wider inquiry into an events company that organised what have been described as "all-inclusive" nights for VIP clients in Milan. The development, confirmed by prosecutors on Tuesday, represents a serious legal matter for one of Italian football's most prominent defenders.
What prosecutors allege
According to the investigation, Bastoni allegedly had sexual intercourse with a 17-year-old girl who had been recruited by an agency that organised luxury dinners and events for wealthy clients in the city. Prosecutors further allege that the owners of the agency — who are themselves also under investigation — made private apartments available so that clients could engage in sexual acts with underage girls.
Wiretaps from 2020, published by Italian media, reportedly include an intercepted conversation between Bastoni and a representative of the agency. In those exchanges, the PR contact allegedly told the player that an underage girl wished to sleep with him, to which Bastoni allegedly responded by asking whether there was somewhere discreet they could go. The alleged incidents are said to have taken place on the evening of 11 July 2020.
The girl in question, who was interviewed recently as a witness, is reported to have said she visited the footballer's home but denied that sexual intercourse had taken place.
The legal position
Bastoni's lawyer, Salvatore Scuto, has issued a firm denial on his client's behalf. "I can rule out that my client ever paid for sex, let alone had sexual relations with minors," Scuto stated. It is important to note that Bastoni has not been charged and is, at this stage, under investigation — a process that does not in itself constitute a finding of guilt.
Under Italian law, sexual acts with minors aged between 14 and 18 in exchange for money or any other benefit, even if only promised, carry a custodial sentence of between one and six years.
A difficult period for Bastoni
This development arrives at a particularly turbulent moment in Bastoni's career. The defender has already faced considerable criticism from Italy supporters following the national team's failure to qualify for the World Cup finals. A red card he received during a defeat against Bosnia and Herzegovina in April proved decisive in ending Italy's qualification hopes, drawing significant anger from fans and pundits alike.
Earlier in the same season, Bastoni attracted controversy during Inter's Serie A clash with Juventus, when he was widely accused of simulation. The incident led to the wrongful dismissal of Juventus defender Pierre Kalulu, who received a red card that was later ruled unjust. Bastoni had already been booked at the time and could himself have been shown a second yellow card for the simulation. Instead, he celebrated as Kalulu was sent off. A VAR review was sought by Juventus but not granted, given that second yellow cards fall outside the scope of current review regulations. Inter ultimately won the match 3–2. Bastoni subsequently offered a public apology at a press conference, acknowledging that he had simulated the foul.
The investigation is ongoing and no charges have been brought against Bastoni at this stage. FootballBoard will continue to follow developments as they emerge.
Frequently asked
- What is Alessandro Bastoni being investigated for?
- Italian prosecutors are investigating Bastoni as part of a wider inquiry into an events agency that allegedly organised nights for VIP clients involving underage girls. He has not been charged and his lawyer has denied that he ever paid for sex or had sexual relations with minors.
- Has Alessandro Bastoni been charged or arrested?
- No. At this stage Bastoni is under investigation, which under Italian law means prosecutors are examining the evidence. Being placed under investigation does not constitute a charge or a finding of guilt.
- Will this affect Bastoni's career at Inter Milan?
- Inter Milan have not yet commented publicly on the investigation. The situation is developing and any consequences for his club or international career will depend on how the legal process unfolds in Italy.