Chuka Iwobi has dismissed a story in which his son and Arsenal forward Alex was quoted as saying his food was tampered with leading to his suffering from food poisoning while he was on international duty with Nigeria.
The younger Iwobi was rushed to hospital in Abuja for food poisoning before an important AFCON 2017 qualifier against Egypt in Kaduna in March.
"I am totally shocked and disappointed by this story and called Alex immediately in Sweden where he is doing pre-season,” a furious Iwobi told the Super Eagles administrator Dayo Enebi.
“Alex made it clear to me that he did not say anything about his food being poisoned to the Nigerian Vikings player - to quote Alex: 'We only swapped Jersey took pictures & he said he is Nigerian, we didn't talk anything about food’.
“This is total mischief making and I do not know the source.
“I was in Nigeria at the time when Alex had the stomach upset and Alex told me in Nigeria that he reacted to something he ate and he made no allegation of foul play.
“That story is very damaging and I would be grateful if you and the NFF refute it in its entirety.
“I am totally angry with this.”
However, despite this damaging story, Iwobi senior assured his son is fully committed to playing for Nigeria.
“Alex loves Nigeria and as you are aware would have been at the Olympics if Arsenal had released him,” he said.
“Arsenal will release him during the international break for the World Cup qualifiers (if he is invited).”
credit: africanfootball