Over 60 Serie A footballers named in major prostitution case in Italy, Rs 13.2 crore seized, calls revealed | International Sports News –

An ongoing investigation in Milan into an alleged prostitution ring has cast Italian football into the spotlight, with reports suggesting that more than 60 current and former Serie A players have appeared in case materials as clients, while authorities have confirmed that no footballers are under investigation. The investigation, led by Italy’s financial police, Guardia di Finanza, focuses on a Milan-based illegal events promotion company accused of organizing high-end gatherings that include access to escorts, drugs and nightlife services for wealthy clients.

Details of the investigation and arrests

According to multiple Italian media reports, including La Gazzetta dello Sport and coverage cited by Marca, the company operated in Milan and provided what were described as “all-inclusive luxury events” for high-profile individuals. Investigators seized nearly €1.2 million (about Rs 13.2 crore) linked to the operation, and four individuals were arrested after months of surveillance. The packages included hotel accommodations, nightclub parties, escorts and the use of nitrous oxide, commonly referred to 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.

Under Italian law, prostitution in itself is not a crime, but profiting from prostitution is illegal, which is why the investigation is focusing on organizers and not on those listed as clients.

Wiretaps and evidence were collected

The case was built in part through intercepted communications collected during the investigation. In one of the wiretapped conversations mentioned in the reports, one person said: “There is a friend of mine, a Formula 1 driver… he is coming to Milan tonight, he wants a girl.” In another conversation, a woman was overheard telling a colleague that she might be pregnant after an encounter and asking him to retrieve chat logs to confirm the date. Other intercepted conversations also indicated the use of laughing gas during these gatherings. Authorities have confirmed that devices seized from detainees are being analyzed by the Milan Public Prosecutor’s Office, with keyword searches forming part of an evidence review.

Names that appeared in the investigation

A list of names linked to the investigation has been reported by Il Giornale newspaper and ANSA, with details published by Corriere dello Sport and Tuttosport newspapers. Reports indicate that around 65 to 70 footballers’ surnames appeared in the prosecutor’s investigation as keywords or references in communications, with players linked to clubs including Inter Milan, AC Milan, Juventus, Atalanta, Lazio, Hellas Verona, Monza and Como.Among the names mentioned are:

Additional surnames listed include Cancelleri, Huysen, Motta Carvalho, Niasi, Petagna, Ranuccia, Ruggieri, Skriniar, Vicario, and Zortia.Other names mentioned in full include Soaleho Mete, Nuno Tavares and Carlos Augusto.

Other mentions across reports include Bellanova, Calafiore, Bisque, Pinamonti, Ricci and Scamacca, with links via clubs such as Atalanta, Lazio and Inter, while linked mentions of Juventus also appear through names such as Vlahovic and Arthur Melo.Separate reports have also suggested that one of Real Madrid’s recent signings has been referred to among a wider range of names, although no specific individual has been officially identified in the materials mentioned.Former Inter and Lazio midfielder Dejan Stankovic was reportedly in contact with one of the arrested individuals on eight occasions. Authorities also noted that a Formula 1 driver and hockey players were among the people referred to, although the identity of the driver was not revealed.

Players’ responses and clarifications

Some individuals named in the reports have publicly distanced themselves from the case.Milan striker Rafael Leao said: “I want to make it clear that I have absolutely nothing to do with the facts being investigated.

“I am not involved and have not committed any crime.”

Separately, the lawyer representing Riccardo Calafiore, the Italy international team defender, explained that his client’s name does not appear in any official documents related to the investigation.

Nature of participation and legal status

The Italian authorities explained that the aforementioned football players are not under investigation. The inclusion of names is based on references in phone calls, messages, or as search keywords within the seized materials, and does not prove participation in illegal activity. Prosecutors did not confirm who, if any, paid for the sexual services. “The girls were fully compliant, so there is no violence; no evidence of violence emerged in the investigative work,” the Financial Guard said, adding: “Unfortunately, this is not a crime, and it has not been classified as such.”

How the network works

According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, the organization arranged evenings in which women were invited to have sex for money with clients, many of whom were described as high-profile individuals including professional footballers. The network reportedly kept at least 50 percent of the payments, with the rest distributed to women, who were paid by organizers rather than by clients directly. One of the women involved in the operation said: “I kept 10% of the table for a football player who spent three thousand, and it is the same with hockey players.” Reports indicate that more than 100 women, including Italian and foreign nationals, participated in these events, working as escorts, models, hostesses or table attendants.

Current status of the case

The investigation is still ongoing, as the Milan Public Prosecutor’s Office continues to analyze the seized devices and communications. While the case has attracted widespread attention due to the number of high-profile names mentioned, the authorities have maintained a clear distinction between those under investigation, the regulators, and those referred to in the material, who are not currently facing any legal action.