The Italian newspaper 'La Gazzetta dello Sport' expands to 70 players the number of footballers involved in the so-called ‘escort case’ in Italy. The service offered to wealthy clients (footballers, sports stars, celebrities and businessmen) was comprehensive: a dinner show in a luxury restaurant in the most exclusive area of Milan, followed by the option to continue the evening in clubs or in their hotel rooms.
At least 70 footballers are believed to have attended parties organised by the events agency Ma. De. Milano, which is being investigated for exploitation and complicity in prostitution
Lorenzo Cascini
"I have a Formula 1 driver friend who wants a paid girlfriend. Can we find one?", was recorded in one of the wiretaps.
On those nights, the girls who worked for the agency were invited to have sex in exchange for money with the clients.
The case also reveals more delicate episodes, such as that of a young woman who allegedly became pregnant after an encounter with a footballer. “Don’t tell anyone… I took the test I’m three weeks pregnant”.
The code names used to refer to the "customers", who are not under investigation
Lorenzo Cascini reports that “at least 70 footballers are believed to have attended parties organised by the events agency Ma. De. Milano, which is under investigation for exploitation and complicity in prostitution”.
The ANSA news agency reported that those allegedly involved in the plot include Serie A players from Inter, Milan, Juventus, Verona, Torino, Monza and Sassuolo.
The names of the businessmen and players have been omitted in the court order, although the Italian press has already published the key names that were used to refer to the so-called "clients“: Bastoni, Bellanova, Blisseck, Hakimi, Coutinho, Skriniar, Carlos Augusto, De Winter, Leao, Giroud or Menez.None of them are under investigation, as, as customers, they did not commit any crime.
"Unfortunately, it is not a crime, it is not classified as such. The girls were totally compliant, so there is no violence; no indication of violence has emerged in the acts of the investigation," reported the Guardia di Finanza.
In the investigation by the Milan prosecutor's office, coordinated by deputy prosecutor Bruna Albertini, it has not been determined how many people used the escort and drug (nitrous oxide) services offered.
The owners of the agency, Emanuele Buttini and Deborah Ronchi, and two of their collaborators, Alessio Salamone and Luan Fraga, were placed under house arrest.
