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Italy and Atletico Madrid wing-back Matteo Ruggeri has been drawn into a scandal after allegations that he paid a woman to send him insulting, blasphemous and racist audio messages for sexual gratification.
The claims were made by Italian gossip figure Fabrizio Corona, a controversial name in Italian football who has previously been jailed for effectively trying to blackmail clubs and players with photographs of off-field behavior.
He was also found guilty of defamation against former Inter player Mauro Icardi and made wide claims during the 2023 and 2024 betting scandal that did not lead to the outcomes he suggested.
Corona published what he claimed were screenshots showing payments made by Ruggeri to a female fan, each worth €150 ($170.92).
According to Corona, the payments were allegedly made in exchange for audio messages that included insults, racist language and blasphemous phrases requested by the Italy international.
Corona also published audio recordings of conversations that he claimed showed what Ruggeri was asking for, as well as the player's alleged reaction to the content.
Ruggeri has not responded to the allegations so far.
The former Atalanta player turns 24 next month. He joined Atletico Madrid last summer in a transfer worth €17 million plus add-ons, but has since been linked with a possible return to Serie A.
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