Bastoni to skip questioning as prosecutors hear Maldini and Bonifazi in Milan escort probe
Inter defender Alessandro Bastoni will not appear for questioning set for Friday July 3, exercising his right to remain silent while investigators continue hearing footballers as witnesses in the widening Ma.De. vice case in Milan.
Bastoni chooses silence
Alessandro Bastoni, the Inter and Italy centre-back, has formally notified Milan prosecutors through his lawyer that he will not attend the interrogation scheduled for Friday 3 July. He is availing himself of the right to remain silent in a case that has been building since late June. The summons, received on 30 June, was described by defence counsel Salvatore Scuto as coming "in the dark", adding that neither he nor his client knew anything about the investigation at that point.
I categorically exclude that Bastoni had paid sexual relations, even more so with a minor.
Witnesses testify
Today, in a Financial Police barracks in Milan, prosecutors Rosaria Stagnaro and deputy prosecutor Bruna Albertini heard Daniel Maldini and Kevin Bonifazi as witnesses. Maldini, an Atalanta midfielder on loan from Lazio, and Bonifazi, a Bologna defender, are not under investigation. On Friday, Arsenal full-back Riccardo Calafiori is due to be heard as a witness. All three footballers were summoned regarding events organised by Ma.De. Luxury Concierge, a Cinisello Balsamo company accused of facilitating and exploiting prostitution.
The Ma.De. case
The investigation originally targeted the agency’s owners and operatives. On 20 April, a Milan judge placed Deborah Ronchi (the owner), her partner Emanuele Buttini, and PRs Alessio Salamone and Amilton Luan Fraga Luz under house arrest. They are accused of criminal association aimed at promoting and exploiting prostitution, now including the underage variant. Investigators allege that Ma.De. organised "all inclusive" evenings for wealthy clients, particularly Serie A footballers, in exclusive Milan venues and five-star hotels. A single night could cost up to €12,000 and sometimes included laughing gas, private chefs, and access to a catalogue of women presented via WhatsApp using Instagram photos.
- Bastoni allegedly meets a 17-year-old girl at his home overnight
- Ma.De. owners and PRs are placed under house arrest for facilitating prostitution
- Bastoni receives summons and is formally registered as a suspect for underage prostitution
- Daniel Maldini and Kevin Bonifazi testify as witnesses in the Financial Police barracks
- Riccardo Calafiori to be heard as a witness; Bastoni declines to attend his scheduled interrogation
The July 2020 night
Bastoni was entered in the register of suspects on 30 June for underage prostitution. The charge centres on an encounter on the night of 9-10 July 2020 with a girl then aged 17 years and 8 months. According to prosecutors, the meeting was arranged through Salamone, who communicated directly with Bastoni via WhatsApp. More than 3,000 messages exchanged between 2020 and 2026 are in the case file. Chat excerpts suggest Bastoni asked about privacy at the venue and that Salamone told him a minor was interested. Afterwards, Salamone reminded Bastoni to arrange a taxi home for the girl.
Denials and next steps
The woman, now 23, was questioned as a witness. She admitted spending the night at Bastoni’s home but denied any sexual relationship, receiving money, or working as an escort.
I am not a prostitute, I have not prostituted myself and I have not taken money.
She contradicted the prosecution’s reconstruction. Bastoni also denies all accusations and has chosen not to answer questions for now. The investigation continues, with the prosecution building its case on WhatsApp records and testimony from figures in the Ma.De. orbit.
