Newspapers name players involved in prostitution scandal but confirm none under investigation

Newspapers in Italy have identified a list of players whose names have appeared in the inquest into a prostitution ring in Italy, but have confirmed that none of them are under any form of investigation for illegal activity. 

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Footballers named in prostitution probe, none under investigation

A scandal erupted earlier this week when four people were placed under arrest as part of an investigation into a Milan-based events company that was allegedly a front for a prostitution ring. 

It has been reported that the company sold ‘all-inclusive luxury events’ to wealthy and high-profile individuals, which included hotel stays, parties, escorts and laughing gas, which is illegal for recreational use in Italy. Under Italian law, the act of prostitution is not a crime in itself, but profiting off someone being paid to have sex is. 

The events were allegedly held in both Milan and on the Greek island of Mykonos, and reports in Italy claim that around 70 professional footballers, including some from Milan, Inter, Juventus and Hellas Verona, were involved in some form. 

According to Wednesday’s updates from Il Giornale and ANSA, reported on Corriere dello Sport and Tuttosport, the public prosecutor’s office in Milan is busy gathering evidence and analysing keywords after seizing devices from the individuals arrested earlier this week. 

Wednesday’s reports claim that a list of around 65 footballers’ surnames have appeared in the prosecutor’s office’s inquest: “Including Cancellieri, Giroud, Hakimi, Huijsen, Maldini, Arthur Melo, Mota Carvalho, Niasse, Petagna, Ranocchia, Ruggeri, Skriniar, Vicario, Zortea and some others.” 

Other names have been mentioned in full: “Such as Soualiho Meite, Nuno Tavares and Carlos Augusto.” 

Wednesday’s reports confirm that former Lazio and Inter star Dejan Stankovic was in contact with one of the individuals arrested earlier this week on eight occasions. 

Corriere dello Sport and Tuttosport report that the names “Bastoni and Leao, Vlahovic, Bellanova, Calafiori, Bisseck, Pinamonti, Ricci, Scamacca and many others” have also appeared