Onazi cries out: I am not a match fixer

By Abiodun Alade

Super Eagles and Lazio midfielder, Ogenyi Onazi has cried out that he is not a match fixer and will never accede to any plan to bring the game of football to disrepute.

He was reacting to allegation that a potential match-fixer, Henry Chukwuma Okoroji contacted him to fix some of Nigeria’s matches at the forthcoming World Cup.

Agent Henry Chukwuma Okoroji was caught telling an undercover reporter that he could fix games and organise certain outcomes during the tournament in Brazil this month.

Speaking from a hotel room in Milan, the businessman and his associate – only known as Joe – told the reporter a list of prices he would have to pay for different outcomes, including a a red card.

He said a yellow card would set them back 50,000 euros (£40,660) and a penalty 100,000 euros (£81,370).

In an attempt to enhance their credibility, the pair also invited Lazio and Nigerian footballer Ogenyi Onazi to the meeting, however there is no suggestion he was involved in any fixing plot.