Phoenix 24
Inter defender denies wrongdoing as legal process begins
Milan, Italy | June 2026
Inter Milan and Italy defender Alessandro Bastoni is under investigation by the Milan Public Prosecutor’s Office as part of a broader inquiry into an alleged prostitution network linked to an escort agency. According to Italian media reports, the case involves an alleged encounter in 2020 with a girl who was 17 years old at the time. The investigation remains in its preliminary phase, and no court has established criminal responsibility. Bastoni remains presumed innocent while prosecutors continue reviewing the evidence.
Authorities are examining communications, testimonies and information connected to the alleged network in order to reconstruct how it operated. One of the central questions is whether the player knowingly participated in any illegal conduct. The young woman involved in the case has reportedly denied that a sexual relationship occurred with the footballer. That statement will be one of the elements investigators must evaluate as the process advances.
Bastoni’s legal team has rejected the allegations and emphasized that the player denies any wrongdoing. His defense has also underlined that being formally investigated is a procedural step that allows the accused to exercise legal rights and respond to the case. The lawyers are expected to review the full file once it becomes available. Until then, the defense position remains focused on cooperation with authorities and protection of the player’s presumption of innocence.
The investigation has also placed other football figures under media attention, although several of them have reportedly been summoned only as witnesses. Prosecutors are seeking to clarify the role of organizers, intermediaries and people who may have had contact with the alleged escort network. At this stage, the case remains primarily a judicial matter rather than a sporting disciplinary process. Any football-related consequences would depend on future developments in the investigation.
For Inter Milan, the situation arrives at a delicate time because Bastoni is one of the club’s most important defenders and a regular figure in the Italian national team. His sporting value and public profile have increased the media impact of the case. However, no sporting sanction has been announced, and the legal process must continue before any conclusions can be drawn. The club and the player’s representatives are expected to handle the matter with caution while the investigation remains open.
The case highlights the importance of careful reporting when judicial proceedings involve public figures and serious allegations. An investigation does not equal guilt, and the facts must be established through legal channels rather than media speculation. The coming weeks will determine whether prosecutors find sufficient evidence to move forward or whether the case changes direction. For now, Bastoni remains under investigation, denies wrongdoing and awaits the next steps from Italian judicial authorities.
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