Fulham defender John Pantsil has rubbished reports in his native Ghana that he received a bonus payment from the club for his display against Manchester United.
The Cottagers beat the reigning Premier League champions 2-0 at Craven Cottage last month, and the 90 Minutes newspaper attributed quotes to Pantsil in which he was reported to have said he was paid £10,000 for man-marking Cristiano Ronaldo out of the game.
News of Pantsil’s supposed bonus was quickly denied by Fulham on Tuesday, amid suggestions the club could be subject to an investigation from The Premier League over the alleged payment.
However, Pantsil has now spoken out and denied the newspaper’s claims.
“I can tell you categorically that I never said anything of the sort,” Pantsil stated on Fulham’s official website.
“It's a completely ridiculous story and I am very unhappy that a newspaper has made up quotes and attributed them to me.
"Whilst on international duty I spoke of how proud I was about the win against United, but I did not once say that I had received any money from the game, these quotes are rubbish and I’m very angry that these lies have appeared.
“This nonsense will not distract me from my primary target which is helping the club record its highest ever league finish. I am determined to make it happen.
"It has been a great season so far and after beating Bolton and Manchester City away from home we’ve put ourselves in a really strong position. We’ve got to take it one game at a time, starting with a very tough game against Stoke at the Cottage this weekend and that’s what I would rather focus on."