Maldini investigated over corruption

ROME (AFP) – AC Milan legend Paolo Maldini and his wife are being investigated over corruption and the illegal access to tax records, Ansa reported Thursday.

The former international defender is accused of bribing an incomes official to avoid tax controls but his lawyer, Danilo Buongiorno, insisted that his client's role in the investigation was merely minor.

"He's calm and serene. In contesting the accusations, which are without a doubt baseless, he's certain that he will be able to demonstrate that he and his wife had absolutely nothing to do with this and that they must be injured parties and certainly not those being investigated," he said.

The former AC Milan star is being investigated following a separate probe into an incomes official who has since been imprisoned.

Maldini ended a 24-year career with Milan last season with 126 caps for Italy and more than 600 league games with Milan.

He won seven Serie A titles and five Champions League crowns during a glittering career.