Alessandro Bastoni has become the first footballer formally placed under investigation in the Milan probe into an alleged escort network linked to the Ma.De. events agency in Cinisello Balsamo, receiving an avviso di garanzia and a summons to appear before prosecutors.

According to Gazzetta dello Sport, Milan prosecutors Bruna Albertini and Rosaria Stagnaro are expected to question the Inter and Italy defender on Friday. The notice concerns an alleged encounter with a girl who was 17 at the time, with investigators reportedly reconstructing the meeting through chat records tied to June 2020.

Bastoni’s lawyer, Salvatore Scuto, said his client was “deeply shaken” and flatly denied ever paying for sex, “let alone with minors.” Crucially, the girl herself – questioned as a witness – reportedly denied any sexual relationship with Bastoni, a factual dispute prosecutors must still reconcile before any charges can follow.

Bastoni the First Footballer Formally Investigated in Wider Probe

The distinction between being formally investigated and merely named in seized material matters here. Dozens of current and former Serie A players had previously been mentioned across intercepted communications, but none had received a formal notice until now. Cristian Chivu publicly confirmed as recently as this month that Bastoni remains part of Inter’s plans, a stance the club has not yet publicly revisited in light of Thursday’s reports.

Daniel Maldini, Riccardo Calafiori, and Kevin Bonifazi were each asked to provide information as witnesses only – not as suspects. An avviso di garanzia is a procedural notification that an investigation is under way, not a charge or a finding of guilt. Bastoni’s questioning on Friday will be the first significant test of the evidentiary basis prosecutors hold.