Super Eagles and Galatasaray striker Victor Osimhen has strongly denied allegations that he assaulted a journalist in Istanbul, Turkey. The Nigerian footballer vowed to take legal action to clear his name following claims made by journalist Tolga Bozduman.
Bozduman alleged that Osimhen became aggressive after being photographed outside a restaurant. “We filmed Osimhen at the exit with three of my colleagues. When the flashes went off, he went wild. He ran towards me screaming. He tried to take my camera, but I didn’t let go, and he punched me. It still hurts,” the journalist claimed, adding that the striker also attempted to bribe him to delete the footage.
However, Osimhen, speaking after scoring the decisive goal in Galatasaray’s 1-0 victory over Konyaspor in the Turkish Super Lig on Saturday, dismissed the allegations as lies. “I never punched this guy. I never hit him or something like that,” Osimhen stated firmly.
The Napoli loanee explained that he was leaving a restaurant with friends when paparazzi suddenly appeared and began taking photos. “I was shocked. They popped out from nowhere with cameras in my face,” Osimhen said.
He recounted asking the paparazzi what they wanted, but they refused to answer and continued taking pictures. “My friends went to meet them and said, ‘You cannot do that. You are professionals. If you want an interview, you have to ask.’”
Osimhen also addressed claims that he demanded the deletion of the photos, stating that he was within his rights to make the request. “I told him, ‘You have to take the picture down. It’s my picture. I have every right to tell you to take it down.’”
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The striker expressed frustration over what he described as a false narrative. “I am not new to this type of thing. I knew they were gonna lie and lie and lie,” Osimhen said, adding that he intends to let the legal system handle the matter.
“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 steps 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,” Osimhen declared.
The incident has sparked a debate about the boundaries of paparazzi behavior and celebrities’ rights to privacy. Osimhen’s remarks highlight the challenges public figures face in dealing with intrusive media practices.
Despite the controversy, Osimhen’s focus remains on his football career, as he continues to make a significant impact on the pitch for Galatasaray. For now, the striker is determined to defend his reputation and ensure that the truth prevails.