Former Milan legend Paolo Maldini has come to the defence of his son Christian, who is on loan with Hamrun Spartans, saying that stories appearing in the Italian media are false.

Paolo Maldini is reported by the Gazzetta dello Sport as saying that “Christian is in Malta with his true agent; he has never been called up by Serie D side Lecco. It is not right that he is accused of lack of professionalism; he does not deserve it.”

Paolo Maldini was replying to a story that appeared in the Italian media, claiming that Christian had not turned up for a trial with Lecco, a trial that was arranged by what turned out to be a man falsely claiming to be Christian’s football agent.

“Christian has never spoken to Lecco,” his father said. “And he has never received an offer from them… It is clear that Lecco are talking with a false agent claiming to be my son’s representative. This story is baseless. It is not my family’s custom not to attend training sessions.”

The 21-year-old is currently on loan with Hamrun Spartans from his club Reggiana.

Italian media reports quoted the false agent saying that Christian had not turned up for the trial because “this week he cannot make it”. But Christian did not know anything about this arrangement, giving that his real agent was not contacted.