An ongoing investigation into an alleged prostitution ring in Milan has thrust Italian football into the spotlight, with reports that more than 60 current and former Bundesliga players have appeared as clients in case materials, while authorities have confirmed that no footballers are under investigation. The investigation, led by Italy’s Financial Police Guard, focuses on a Milan-based illegal events promotion company accused of organizing high-end parties that included escorts, drugs and nightlife services for wealthy clients.
Investigation details and arrests
According to multiple Italian media reports, including Gazzetta dello Sport and reference coverage markThe company operates out of Milan and offers what it calls “all-inclusive luxury events” for high-profile celebrities. Investigators have seized around 1.2 million euros (approximately Rs 132 million) in connection with the operation and four people were arrested after months of surveillance. The packages include hotel stays, nightclub parties, escorts and the use of nitrous oxide, commonly known as laughing gas, which is illegal for recreational use in Italy. The events were reportedly held in Milan and on the Greek island of Mykonos. Prostitution itself is not a crime under Italian law, but profiting from it is illegal, which is why the investigation focused on the organizers rather than those listed as clients.
Wiretaps and evidence collected
Leads in the case were drawn in part from communications intercepted during the investigation. In a wiretapped conversation cited in the report, one said: “I have a friend, a Formula One driver… He is coming to Milan tonight and he wants a girl.” In another exchange, a woman told a coworker after an encounter that she might be pregnant and asked him to retrieve the chat to confirm the date. Other intercepted conversations also mention the use of laughing gas during these gatherings. Authorities confirmed that devices seized from those arrested were being analyzed by the Milan prosecutor’s office, with keyword searches forming part of a review of evidence.
Names that appear in surveys
Il Giornale and ANSA reported the names linked to the investigation, with further details reported by Corriere dello Sport and Corriere dello Sport. Turin sports newspaper. The report said that about 65 to 70 football players whose surnames appeared in prosecutors’ investigations as keywords or references in communications were linked to clubs such as Inter Milan, AC Milan, Juventus, Atalanta, Lazio, Hellas Verona, Monza and Como.Names cited include:
- Alessandro Bastoni, Inter Milan defender
- Achraf Hakimi, former Inter Milan full-back
- Rafael Leao, AC Milan forward
- Olivier Giroud, French forward, AC Milan forward
- Dusan Vlahovic, Juventus forward
- Philippe Coutinho, former Liverpool midfielder
- Arthur Melo, Juventus midfielder
- Daniel Maldini, AC Milan midfielder, son of legendary Italian defender Paolo Maldini
Other surnames listed include Cancellieri, Huijsen, Mota Carvalho, Niasse, Petagna, Ranocchia, Ruggeri, Skriniar, Vicario and Zortea.Other names cited in full include Soualiho Meite, Nuno Tavares and Carlos Augusto.Further mentions in the report include Bellanova, Calafioli, Bisek, Pinamonti, Ricci and Scamacca, as well as links with clubs such as Atalanta, Lazio and Inter Milan, while mentions linked to Juventus have also emerged via names such as Vlahovic and Arthur Melo.Another report also states that one of Real Madrid’s recent signings has been mentioned in the wider list, although no specific individual has been formally identified in the cited material.Former Inter Milan and Lazio midfielder Dejan Stankovic was also reported to have been in contact with one of those arrested on eight occasions. Authorities also noted that a Formula One driver and hockey player were included, but the driver has not been named.
Player responses and clarifications
Some people named in the report have publicly distanced themselves from the case.AC Milan forward Raphael Leao said: “I want to make it clear that I have absolutely nothing to do with the facts under investigation. I had no part in it and I didn’t commit any crime. “Separately, a lawyer representing Italy international defender Riccardo Calafioli said his client’s name does not appear in any official documents related to the investigation.
Nature of participation and legal status
Italian authorities made it clear that the footballers named were not under investigation. The inclusion of the names is based on mentions in phone calls, messages or as search keywords in seized materials and does not constitute participation in illegal activity. Prosecutors have not identified who, if anyone, paid for the sexual services. “The girls were fully compliant and there was no violence; no evidence of violence emerged during the investigation,” the Financial Guardian said, adding, “Unfortunately this was not a crime and was not classified as such.”
How the network works
According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, the organization arranged nights where women were invited to have sex with clients in exchange for money, many of whom were described as high-profile figures including professional footballers. The network reportedly retains at least 50% of payments, with the remainder allocated to women, who are paid directly by organizers rather than customers. One woman involved in the operation said: “I kept 10 percent of the table for the football player who paid three thousand dollars, and the same for the hockey player.” Reports indicate that more than 100 women, both Italian and foreign, participated in the events, working as escorts, models, waitresses or table companions.
Current progress of the case
The investigation is ongoing and the Milan Prosecutor’s Office continues to analyze the seized equipment and communications. While the case has attracted widespread attention due to the number of high-profile names mentioned, authorities have drawn a clear distinction between those under investigation, organizers and those named in the materials, who currently face no legal action.
