Nigerian forward Victor Osimhen has refuted claims of physical assault following an altercation involving a Turkish journalist, Afrosport reports.
The Galatasaray striker was alleged to have been involved in a bust-up with three Turkish journalists who attempted to take his picture while he was leaving a popular nightclub with his friends.
Tolga Bozduman, the journalist in question, alleged that Osimhen punched him when he refused to “let go of his camera”.
He said, “I was filming Osimhen as he exited, accompanied by three colleagues. When the camera flashes stopped, he became furious. He rushed towards me, shouting, and attempted to grab my camera. When I refused to let go, he punched me. It still hurts. Then he started swearing and said, ‘Destroy the photos; I’ll give you money.’ I refused, and he threatened me, saying, ‘I’ll destroy you.’”
However, the Super Eagles striker has finally broken his silence, confirming that Bozduman’s claims were false as he narrated his own side of the situation.
“I need to clarify some situation,” Osimhen said while talking to reporters after Galatasaray’s win in the Turkish Super Lig on Saturday. “I went to eat with some of my friends, and I was heading into my van when these guys popped out of nowhere with cameras in my face.
“I was shocked—I’m sure you guys have seen the video on the internet. I was shocked, and I asked, ‘Why do you have cameras in my face?’ but they didn’t say anything as they still had the cameras pointed at me.
The 26-year-old refuted any claims of punching the journalist, adding that he and his friends actually tried to get them to “put down” the pictures.
“There was a guy taking pictures, and my friends went to meet them,” he continued. “They told them their act was unprofessional, and if they wanted an interview, they could have asked the right way.
“I never punched or hit anyone,” Osimhen stated. “I went to him and told him to take the pictures down or delete them—it’s my picture; I have every right to tell him to take it down.
Osimhen, who claimed there was an agenda against him, said he would be taking the “necessary steps” to prove his innocence or expose the lies of the accuser.
“Of course, it’s an agenda, as I am not new to these things. I knew they would tell a lie, but it’s a case of violence,” stated the Napoli loanee.
“I also know it’s not going to be an easy case, but I wouldn’t want to say much. I will take the necessary steps to make sure… If I hit him, he’ll get justice, but if he lied, he’ll face the wrath of the law.
Osimhen, who scored Galatasaray’s only goal in their 1-0 home win against Konyaspor, took his season tally to 12 league goals in 15 matches.
His strike ensured the reigning Turkish champions secured their 17th win to remain unbeaten after 20 games this season. They currently sit atop the table with 54 points, six more than Fenerbahce in second.
