An explosive controversy is brewing in Turkey, where Nigerian international striker Victor Osimhen finds himself embroiled in a war of words with a local journalist. The Galatasaray star man is forcefully denying allegations that he physically assaulted reporter Tolga Bozduman, and is now threatening legal action against his accuser.
Incident Outside African Restaurant
The alleged altercation took place last week outside an African restaurant in Istanbul, where Osimhen says he had gone to have dinner with friends, including his Super Eagles teammate Kenneth Omeruo. According to the player’s account, as he was returning to his vehicle, Bozduman and other paparazzi suddenly appeared and shoved cameras in his face without warning.
Osimhen insists he never touched the journalist, claiming he merely asked them to delete the photos they had taken. “I never punched this guy, I never hit him,” the 26-year-old striker stated in an interview. “I went to him and told him you have to take the picture down, you have to delete it. It’s my picture, I have every right to tell him to take it down.”
Conflicting Accounts
Bozduman, however, offers a very different version of events. The Posta journalist claims Osimhen became infuriated as soon as the photographers started snapping pictures and rushed towards him in a rage. “He tried to grab my camera, but I held on to it. Then he punched me in the head,” Bozduman alleged, adding that the right side of his head was still in pain from the blow.
The reporter further accused Osimhen of offering the paparazzi money to delete the photos, and threatening to “ruin” them if the images were published. But the Nigerian international vehemently rejects this characterization. “Of course he didn’t touch him. I was there,” stated Omeruo, backing up his compatriot’s assertions.
Osimhen Vows Legal Recourse
Refusing to let the matter slide, Osimhen is now vowing to take his accuser to court. “I am not new to this type of thing. I knew they were going to lie and lie and lie,” the irate footballer said. “This is a case of violence, and he came out to lie. But of course, it is not going to be an easy one.”
If I hit him, he is going to get justice. If he lied, then he is going to see the wrath of the law.
– Victor Osimhen
The star striker, who has been in scintillating form for Galatasaray this season with 16 goals and 5 assists across all competitions, says he is undaunted by the prospect of a legal battle to clear his name. As one of the most sought-after forwards in world football currently, Osimhen seems determined not to let this incident taint his reputation or unsettle his prolific run.
High Stakes Showdown
With the conflicting accounts and reputations on the line, it remains to be seen how this tense standoff between player and press will be resolved. Will Osimhen make good on his threat to sue Bozduman for defamation? Will other witnesses come forward to corroborate either party’s story? The footballing world will be watching this high stakes drama unfold with bated breath.
For now, the Nigerian goal machine is trying to keep his focus firmly on the pitch, where he will aim to maintain his imperious form for club and country. But the looming legal battle with the Turkish journalist adds an unwanted distraction at a crucial juncture of the season.
As the pressure mounts and the controversy swirls, Victor Osimhen finds himself ensnared in an unsavory saga that pits his word against that of an aggrieved reporter. Two drastically different accounts – but only one truth. In the court of public opinion and perhaps eventually in a court of law, the final verdict on what really transpired that fateful evening is still to be rendered.
