Sam Sodje , 34,  has broken his silence for the first time since he was accused of match fixing.

It would be recalled that last December, British media had released video evidence which suggested that the former Portsmouth defender had agreed to throw away matches in return for cash.

But Sam Sodje has always maintained that he is innocent and was set up by investigative journalist, Mazher Mahmood .

Speaking to allnigeriasoccer.com, Sodje said : “It is a media stunt and the media tried to put me in trouble. The Police do not know what really happened, I was used to get a headline.

“What I said on tape is all b*****t. . My lawyer, Whitworth & Green Solicitors will take legal action against the newspaper.

“Let them come up with phone evidence. I have never been involved in match fixing. The tape we watched was only 10 minutes.

“If you are investigating someone for match fixing, the law states that you must have a source that previously implicated that individual.”

Furthermore, the Nigeria international explained how he got himself into this mess, stating that Mazher Mahmood had approached him to do some charity work in the Middle East.

“I wanted to do charity work for him in Dubai, for retired players to have a testimonial and the proceeds will go to the less privileged.

“And that was what Mahmood came to talk to me about, this was on for nine months.

“Let them check my phone records from January to December, I never spoke about match fixing.

“Portsmouth even confirmed that I was never fined and did not pay 10,000 pounds to the club,” says Sam Sodje.