More than 50 Serie A players linked to prostitution scandal

Updated April 24 with Leão statement

More than 50 current and former Serie A footballers have been named in a prostitution-related investigation in Milan, although none of them are currently under investigation.

According to a report by Il Giornale, several well-known figures from the football world were mentioned in wiretaps linked to an alleged network organised by two Italian investigative journalists.

Among those mentioned in the report are former Inter and Lazio midfielder Dejan Stanković, his son Filip Stanković, and Daniel Maldini, son of ex-Milan captain Paolo Maldini.

Although names in official documents were meant to be removed, as paying for sex is not a criminal offence under Italian law, some reportedly remained visible due to an oversight. These include Marcus Pedersen, of Torino, and Sassuolo’s Cristian Volpato.

In the prosecutor’s request to the judge, Cheickh Niasse, currently at Hellas Verona, is also mentioned, alongside Stanković.

The report adds that the total number of footballers referenced exceeds 50. Their names reportedly appeared in a list of keywords included in a search warrant executed last week, as part of the technical analysis of seized electronic devices.

According to Il Giornale, these names likely emerged from intercepted conversations in which escorts and intermediaries were arranging meetings.

The extent of the list highlights the scale of the alleged network, linked to the business Made Luxury Concierge.

Several current and former players connected to Inter and Milan are mentioned, including Alessandro Bastoni, Raoul Bellanova, Yann Bisseck, Achraf Hakimi, Philippe Coutinho, Milan Škriniar, Carlos Augusto, Koni De Winter, Rafael Leão, Olivier Giroud and Jérémy Ménez.

Other names appearing in the keyword list include Riccardo Calafiori, Dean Huijsen, Dušan Vlahović, Arthur Melo, Gianluca Scamacca, Matteo Ruggeri and Nuno Tavares.

However, it remains unclear whether any of those mentioned were directly involved or accepted any such arrangements.

Leão denies any involvement

In a statement sent through his lawyer, Rafael Leão categorically denied being involved in the alleged activities.

His lawyers said:

“With reference to the article recently published, in which the name of footballer Rafael Leão was mentioned in connection with a Milan prosecution investigation into an alleged prostitution ring, Mr Leão, through his legal representatives, wishes to state the following: he is not under investigation, has not been charged, and has no involvement whatsoever in the matters under investigation.  Mr Leão categorically denies any involvement and reserves the right to take legal action against anyone who continues to publish false or defamatory information about him.”