Footballer Victor Osimhen Vows Legal Action Against Turkish Journalist Over Assault Allegation, Hush Money Claim
The accuser had alleged that Osimhen, on loan from Napoli, reacted aggressively when he and others attempted to photograph him.
Nigerian Super Eagles and Galatasaray striker Victor Osimhen has denied allegations that he punched a Turkish journalist and offered hush money to silence him.
Osimhen addressed the claims after scoring a decisive penalty, securing Galatasaray’s 1-0 victory over Konyaspor in the Turkish Super Lig on Saturday. He described the allegations as false and vowed to take the “necessary step” against the accuser. Speaking to the press after the match, Osimhen stated, “I went to eat with my friends so I was coming back to go into my van and these guys just popped out from nowhere with camera in my face and I was shocked.
“Obviously, you guys have seen the video on the internet, I was like this, I was shocked. And I was asking them, what is the problem, why did you pop out with camera in front of my face? And they said they are paparazzi, ‘Okay, what do you want?’ They didn’t say, they just put the camera on my face and there was a guy taking pictures.
“And then my friends went to meet them and said you cannot do like that. You are professionals, you have to come if you want to ask for an interview. I never punched this guy, I never hit him or something like that.
“I went to him, I was in the midst of them and I told him, you have to take the picture down. You have to delete it; it is my picture; I have every right to tell you to take it down. And then of course, his agenda. I am not new to this type of thing. I knew they were gonna lie and lie and lie.
“And this is a case of violence and he came out to lie, of course it is not gonna be easy. I don’t need to shout but I will take the necessary step to make sure… if I hit him, he is going to get justice, if he lies, then he is gonna see the wrath of the law.”
The accuser had alleged that Osimhen, on loan from Napoli, reacted aggressively when he and others attempted to photograph him.
According to Posta.com.tr, the footballer reportedly lashed out at journalists, including Posta’s Tolga Bozduman, after leaving the venue with friends.
Bozduman recounted: “Three colleagues and I were at the door capturing images of Osimhen.
“When the camera flashes went off, he snapped. He charged at me, tried to grab my camera, and punched me in the head. My right side still hurts.”
He added, “He then started swearing and offered to pay us to delete the footage. When we refused, he threatened, ‘I will destroy you.’”